Smriti Irani accuses Rahul Gandhi of seeking support from banned organization: Challenges him to reject SDPI's vote

KALPATTA: Union Minister Smriti Irani has accused Rahul Gandhi of seeking help from a banned organization to win the election, challenging him to reject SDPI's support if he dares.

Smriti made these remarks at a roadshow held in Kalpetta ahead of the submission of nomination papers by NDA candidate K. Surendran for the Wayanad constituency. "I hail from a constituency that was dominated by the Nehru family for four decades. The Collectorate office was built in Amethi when the Modi government came to power," she stated. "Rahul claims Wayanad as his family's domain. Initially, he deceived Amethi by invoking family ties. Now, he's deceiving Wayanad."

She expressed confusion over the Indian front's stance, where allies in Delhi become rivals in Kerala. "In Tamil Nadu, Congress, CPM, and Muslim League form a coalition, but they compete against each other in Kerala. Who is your prime ministerial candidate?" she questioned. "If it's Rahul, why aren't you contesting against him? Why should the people of Wayanad accept Rahul, who isn't acceptable to the alliance?"

She alleged that extortion is the opposition's sole objective, citing instances of corruption. "CPM looted Karuvannur Bank, Congress looted Wayanad Pulpally bank, CPI in Kandala and Muslim League in AR Nagar," she claimed. "Kerala is a state where BJP has made numerous sacrifices for the country."

Smriti Irani dedicated the roadshow to the memory of those sacrifices. Following the roadshow, attended by thousands of people, K. Surendran submitted his nomination form before Wayanad District Collector and Election Officer Dr K. Renuraj.