'Running Away Like Coward'? Amit Malviya Challenges Priyanka Gandhi 'To Take On BJP In UP' Instead Of Wayanad

'running away like coward'? amit malviya challenges priyanka gandhi 'to take on bjp in up' instead of wayanad

New Delhi: As Priyanka Gandhi Vadra prepares for her electoral debut in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency and Rahul Gandhi opts to retain the Rae Bareli seat in Uttar Pradesh, Bharatiya Janata Party's IT Cell Head Amit Malviya launched a direct attack on the Gandhi family. He challenged Congress's bigwigs to "take on the BJP and demonstrate their resurgence in Uttar Pradesh, instead of evading the challenge like cowards."

Taking to X, Amit Malviya said, "All these years we were told Priyanka Vadra manages Amethi and Raebareli. So, when the time came, why has she been packed off to Wayanad? Why not field her from Raebareli, just like KL Sharma was from Amethi. Take on the BJP and prove your resurgence in UP, instead of running away like a coward."

The saffron party has criticised the Congress's decision to field Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from the Wayanad constituency. Former Union Minister and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrashekhar expressed his disapproval, accusing the Congress of imposing its dynasty on the voters of Wayanad.

Chandrashekhar took to social media platform 'X', formerly known as Twitter, to express his views. He wrote, "There is shamelessness and there is Cong type of shamelessness - imposing one member after another of their dynasty on voters of Wayanad - after shamelessly hiding the fact that Rahul was contesting from another constituency."

He further alleged that this pattern of behaviour is the reason for the Congress's defeats in three consecutive elections. "This pattern of betrayal is the reason why Cong has seen 3rd poll defeat under Rahul Gandhi," he added.

After the announcement by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi said that she would not let the people of Wayanad feel Rahul's absence.

The decision was taken on Monday evening after a meeting of senior Congress leaders at Kharge's residence. While interacting with reports, Priyanka said, "I am very happy to be able to represent Wayanad and I will not let them feel his (Rahul Gandhi's) absence. I will work hard and I will try my best to make everyone happy and be a good representative."

She further added, "I have a very old relationship with Raebareli and Amethi and it cannot be broken. I will also help my brother in Raebareli. We will both be present in Raebareli and Wayanad."

Rahul Gandhi, who had contested from both Raebareli and Wayanad in previous elections, won both seats by significant margins. He defeated BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh in Raebareli by 3,90,030 votes and CPI(M) candidate Annie Raja in Wayanad by 3,64,422 votes. The decision to have Priyanka Gandhi contest from Wayanad marks her electoral debut, with Rahul Gandhi retaining the party's stronghold in Raebareli.