Is it Rahul vs Smriti again in Amethi? Diwali gifts from two leaders fuel speculation of 2019 rematch

Neither Rahul nor his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been active in Amethi since Rahul lost to Smriti Irani in 2019. But just before this Diwali, gift bags carrying pictures of both the Congress leaders were distributed to party supporters. The gift bags contained unstitched clothes, puja materials, sweets, and diyas for Diwali. According to a Congress leader in Amethi, 5,000  such gift bags were distributed by the Gandhi siblings in the district.

On the other hand, Smriti Irani also distributed gifts to the people of her constituency.

Local BJP leaders said that gifts on behalf of Smriti Irani were distributed to about 1 lakh households. These gifts included sarees, sweets for some, while food casserole and mobile phones for others. The gifts were given in bags carrying pictures of Smriti Irani.

BJP leaders said that about 300 smartphones have also been distributed to youth on behalf of Smriti Irani, especially to those associated with the party’s social media team in the district.

“Smriti ji distributes gifts to the people of Amethi every year. It is nothing new. This year, we have reached out to 1 lakh families with sarees, sweets, and other gifts,” said Chandramauli, a BJP leader in Amethi. “However, for the Congress, it (the distribution of gifts) is a mere reaction to our action and nothing else,” the BJP leader added.

Refuting the charge, former Congress MLC Deepak Singh said, “Rahul and Priyanka remember people of Amethi in every festival and send gifts to them during every festival. This time, it has been highlighted just because of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.”

“It is Smriti Irani and her team, who has suddenly become active after four and a half years,” he said.

Though there has not been any official confirmation about Rahul Gandhi contest again from Amethi, newly appointed state Congress president Ajay Rai as well as other leaders have repeatedly talked about Rahul contesting from the area, which was once a Gandhi family bastion.

“The five years of exile of Rahul Gandhi is ending in 2024, and this time the people of Amethi are preparing to bring Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi back to Amethi for the real development of the area,” said former MLC Singh.