Acharya Pramod Krishnam: The Congress’s choice to contest Priyanka Gandhi in Kerala’s Wayanad seat after Rahul Gandhi steps down appears to have sparked a dispute between Hindus and Muslims, according to former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam. After winning the Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha seats of Wayanad and Raebareli, Rahul Gandhi has made the decision to remain in his family’s stronghold in the north. As a result, the Congress chose to hold a byelection in Wayanad to officially introduce Priyanka Gandhi to the political arena.
Acharya Pramod Krishnam’s Critique
Rahul Gandhi declared prior to the polls that he will run for the Wayanad seat because he could not desert the people who supported him during difficult times. After Congress members insisted that he challenge the polls from his mother Sonia Gandhi’s stronghold, he entered the Raebareli seat campaign.
Reacting to the decision, Acharya Pramod Krishnam said, “Priyanka Gandhi is the most popular face in the Congress. An attempt has been made to reduce her stature by fielding byelection. By making Priyanka Gandhi contest from Wayanad, the Congress has once again proved that it does not trust Hindus.” Prior to this, the BJP criticized Rahul Gandhi as a “runaway bride” and attacked the Congress for its decision.
BJP’s Attack on Congress Strategy
In a statement, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla claimed that the Congress’ choice to field Priyanka from Wayanad demonstrated that it “is not a political party but a family company”.
Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, BJP leader Ajay Alok said “the runaway bride has decided to flee from Wayanad”. He said the BJP will contest the Wayanad seat with all its strength and so will the Left. He also questioned the Congress’s “need to create an alternate leadership”.
BJP Questions Congress Leadership
The residents of Wayanad were given the assurance by Priyanka Gandhi that they would not miss Rahul Gandhi. She said, “I will not let Wayanad feel the absence of Rahul Gandhi. I will work hard, try my best to make everyone happy in Wayanad and be a good representative.”