At the Rising Bharat Summit in New Delhi, Union Minister Smriti Irani offered a sharp critique of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, highlighting the juxtaposition between his privileged upbringing and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's journey from humble beginnings.
Irani's remarks were part of a broader discussion on leadership, ambition, and the direction of India's political landscape.
Irani said, "One who was born into a royal family now sees a king in a person who was once a tea seller." The statement was directed at Rahul Gandhi's elite lineage. "They did not achieve much for so many years... this family won’t be able to win Amethi, and now they have fled from Raebareli too," she added.
Throughout her address, Irani praised PM Modi's leadership, crediting him with instilling a sense of national ambition and unity. She emphasised that it was Modi “who has given us a national ambition like 2047… We need to create more such opportunities.”
Irani criticised Rahul Gandhi's approach, accusing him of fostering division along religious and caste lines and undermining the concept of self-reliance. “Rahul Gandhi promotes division based on religion and caste. Rahul discourages self-reliance. Rahul glorifies poverty,” she added.
She also questioned Gandhi's commitment to democratic principles, highlighting his reluctance to engage directly with electoral processes. She noted that the “Election Commission has repeatedly asked Rahul to come and check the EVM, but he has not gone once…,” adding that, “he is just trying to insult our democracy.”
As usual, Irani exuded confidence, assuring the audience that the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) would secure victory, crossing the 400-mark in the upcoming elections, echoing Prime Minister Modi's earlier statement. “I assure you,” Irani said, “NDA is crossing 400, just as PM Modi said.”
