Poonawalla on Monday said, “Congress is not a party but a family business, and this has been proved today.The mother has entered the Rajya Sabha, the son has entered the Lok Sabha from one seat, and Priyanka Gandhi has been made a member from another Lok Sabha seat. All three members of the family will be in the Parliament.” He further claimed that Rahul Gandhi, despite his win in Rae Bareli, is dependent on the Samajwadi Party’s support and is unwilling to risk a by-election, which he believes could jeopardize a second victory.
Poonawalla also criticized Rahul Gandhi’s move to Wayanad, asserting that it was a betrayal to the people of the constituency. “Annie Raja kept saying that Rahul Gandhi would move out of the state after the elections, which he did,” he said, adding, “Another thing has become very clear: the political legacy of the family will be with the son and not the daughter.”
Earlier today, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge announced that Rahul Gandhi would continue to represent Rae Bareli in the 18th Lok Sabha, while Priyanka Gandhi would contest from Wayanad. Kharge said that, “Rahul Gandhi was elected from two seats. As per rules, he will have to vacate one seat and continue on one seat. Since June 18 is the last date, we have decided that Rahul should keep his Rae Bareli seat, since it has been very close to the family for a long time. He has received love from the people of Wayanad, and people there want him to retain the seat, but the rules do not allow it. So, after a lot of deliberations, we decided that Priyanka Gandhi should contest from Wayanad, and she has agreed.”
Expressing her enthusiasm for the first electoral contest Priyanaka Gandhi said, “I am very happy to be able to represent Wayanad. All I can say is that I won’t let them feel his absence. As Rahul said, he will come many times with me, but I will work hard, and I will try to make everyone happy and be a good representative. I have a special connection with Rae Bareli. I have worked for 20 years in both Rae Bareli and Amethi.”
Rahul Gandhi on reatining the Rae Bareli sear said that he had an emotional connection with both Rae Bareli and Wayanad. “I was the Wayanad MP for the last five years, and the people of Wayanad gave me love, for which I thank them. Priyanka will contest from Wayanad, but I will continue to visit Wayanad, and the promises we made to Wayanad will be fulfilled. I have a long relationship with Rae Bareli, and I am very happy that I will be representing it. This was not an easy decision because my affection is with both,” he added.
(With inputs from agencies)
