'With this, result in Wayanad is clear, Rahul is scared'; Modi mocks Rahul Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Invoking his earlier statement that Rahul Gandhi might have to seek another seat to contest after the casting of votes in Kerala's Wayanad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday tore into the former over his candidature from his mother's old seat, Raebareli, saying he bolted from the seat down South as he did in Amethi in 2019.

Addressing a mega rally in the Purba Bardhaman district on Friday, PM Modi said, "There's no need for an opinion poll or exit poll...I said this much earlier. I predicted on the floor of Parliament two months ago that their (Congress') biggest leader (Sonia Gandhi) would stand down from contesting these elections. And just as I had foreseen, she (resigned as the Raebareli MP and) took a seat in the Rajya Sabha from Jaipur."

"I also told you earlier that the Shehzaada would start looking for another safe seat for himself, fearing defeat in Wayanad. He was so afraid after losing Amethi in 2019 that he bolted all the way down South, to Wayanad. Now, he has escaped to Raebareli. These people often go around telling people, 'Daro maat' (don't be afraid). It's now my turn to say the same to them--'Arey daro maat, bhaago maat' (don't be afraid! don't flee!)," he added.

In an earlier campaign rally, PM Modi claimed Rahul would have to 'run away' from Wayanad "like he did in Amethi."

After weeks of uncertainty, the Congress on Friday announced that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will contest from the Raebareli constituency in Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha elections. Kishori Lal Sharma, the confidant of the Gandhi family, will contest in Amethi. The Congress candidates for both constituencies were announced on the last date for submission of nomination papers.