Rahul ‘Ran-chhordas’ Gandhi: JDU’s dig at Congress chief for choosing Wayanad as 2nd seat

Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader KC Tyagi on Saturday took a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi and called him “Rahul ‘Ran-chhordas’ Gandhi” after the latter decided to contest Lok Sabha elections from Kerala’s Wayanad constituency as the second seat beside Amethi. "He ran from Amethi to Wayanad fearing defeat. Rahul Gandhi has now become ‘Ran-chhordas’ Gandhi,” Tyagi told news agency ANI.

The remarks from the JDU leader came after Congress announced Rahul Gandhi’s candidature from Wayanad constituency in Kerala. "Rahul ji has given his consent to contest from two seats, very happy to inform you that he will also contest from Wayanad in Kerala," former Union Minister AK Antony said in a press conference.

Explaining the Congress chief's decision, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala cited the "geographical importance" of the constituency and said that the move was taken to fight the "discriminatory" attitude of the BJP towards the southern states.

When asked about BJP leader Smriti Irani's remark that Rahul Gandhi was not confident about winning from Amethi, Surjewala said that the Congress president will win the elections and BJP's Smriti Irani, who is contesting against Gandhi in Amethi, will complete a hat-trick of losses.

"Why did Modi ji leave Gujarat and contest from Varanasi? Was he not confident in Gujarat? These are immature and childish comments. Smriti Irani lost Chandni Chowk and Amethi. Now she is prepped up for losing again in Amethi," Surjewala said.

Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's decision, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that people of the state will not see this as Congress' fight against BJP. He also said that instead of Kerala, Rahul should have chosen a BJP-ruled state.