Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi during a public meeting for Lok Sabha elections, at Maharajganj in Raebareli, Monday, May 13, 2024.
Credit: PTI Photo
Lucknow: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that he opted to contest from Raebareli instead of his traditional Amethi Lok Sabha seat as it (Raebareli) was the 'karmabhoomi' (work place) of his 'two mothers', namely Sonia Gandhi and Indira Gandhi.
"A few days back when I was sitting with my mother, I told her that I had earlier said in a video that I had two mothers (Sonia and Indira)," Rahul said while addressing an election meeting at the Gandhi family bastion of Raebareli.
''I have learnt a lot from my two mothers... Raebareli is their karmabhoomi and therefore I opted to contest from here,'' he said.
Recalling his family's 100-year old 'relationship' with Raebareli, the Congress leader said that his party was 'fighting' to safeguard the Constitution. "The BJP and RSS will tear the Constitution, closing all avenues for their progress and development," he added.
Rahul reiterated his allegation that the BJP government only worked for two industrialists. "They only work for two industrialists... they don't bother about the common people," he said.
"Your (electorate) vote will strengthen our hands and we will thwart any bid to change the Constitution," he added.
He also said that every woman would get Rs 8,500 monthly if the I.N.D.I.A. bloc was able to form the next government in the country. The Congress leader also said that the I.N.D.I.A. government at the Centre would be able to guarantee a one-year apprenticeship for every youth.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who had been camping in the constituency for over a week and campaigning extensively in support of her brother, also addressed the meeting.
Rahul faces BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh in Raebareli. Union home minister Amit Shah had addressed an election rally in Raebareli on Sunday.