'Rahul Gandhi Mei Dum Hai Toh...': Smriti Irani's Open Challenge To Congress | Exclusive

New Delhi: Smriti Irani , senior BJP leader, has challenged Rahul Gandhi to contest election against her from any seat but outside his home turf. The former union minister and ex-Amethi MP said that the fact Rahul didn't contest from Amethi in 2024 was enough proof that he feared defeat.

During Republic Bharat ‘Nation First’ Summit, Arnab Goswami asked Smriti Irani whether Rahul Gandhi would dare to contest against her, the former union minister responded saying that she challenge the Congress scion to contest elections against her outside his political or home turf. "Agar Rahul Gandhi mei dum hai toh aesi jagah se lad ke dikhaye jo unka political ya paarivarik gadh nahi hai… koi bhi sadharan BJP karyakarta se lad ke dikhaye… Baroda, Gandhinagar, Banaras, Lucknow ya Amethi se lad ke dikaye…"

Smriti Irani also reacted on Canada accusing and attacking Indian media saying the government of India has cleared its stand but questioned the silence of the opposition.

Responding to when asked will she contest Amethi in 2029, Smriti Irani said even in 2014 and 2019, the party decided where she would contest from and the same will happen in 2029.

Rahul conceded defeat in Amethi so he didn't contest

In Amethi, Congress had an upper hand because it has 55 per cent composition of voters. The fact that Rahul Gandhi didn't contest from Amethi in itself a proof that he conceded defeat.

Smriti Irani further said that she is the first woman Member of Parliament who defeated a sitting Congress President and also the first who completed her tenure being a non-Gandhi.

Will Smriti contest from Raebareli? 

Responding to Arnab when asked whether she would contest Lok Sabha election from Raebareli, Smriti Irani said that the party will decide on this.

Smriti Irani hit out at Rahul Gandhi for questioning the election commission, India's democracy, Army, vaccines and doubting country's institutions. 

Is Rahul Gandhi a foreign agent? Smriti responds to Arnab  

When asked since Rahul Gandhi keeps questioning India's institutions, do you think he's a foreign agent, Smriti Irani took a dig at the former Congress chief saying, “Is Rahul Gandhi capable enough to qualify even as agent?”

She further said that Rahul only acts as per political convenience recalling his earlier statement when he coined the term ‘Hindu-based terrorism’ but was now roaming in temples for votes.

Smriti Irani also mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is standing like a rock between Rahul Gandhi and India's path forward to reach its ultimate goal.

She further accused Rahul Gandhi for trying to instigate the government to take some wrong step so that they can raise the issue but they don't the Modi government is so resilient.

Is BJP working on its core issues like ‘UCC, ONOP, WAQF'

Speaking about BJP 's core issues like Uniform Civil Code (UCC), One Nation One Election (ONOE) or WAQF Amendment Bill, Smriti Irani said that if Modi has said it, then we will do it.