'Daro Mat, Bhaago Mat': PM Modi Takes Dig At Congress' Rae Bareli Candidature

Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded for the first time to Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Raebareli.

PM Modi said, "I had already said in Parliament that their (Congress) biggest leader will not dare to fight elections and she will run away. She ran away to Rajasthan and came to the Rajya Sabha. I had already said that the 'Shehzada' was going to lose in Wayanad. I had said that as soon as the polling was completed in Wayanad, he would start looking for another seat. He is so scared of Amethi that he is running towards Raebareli. They ask everyone 'Daro Mat'. Today, I also ask them, 'Daro Mat, Bhaago Mat'."

PM Modi made these remarks during a poll rally in West Bengal's Bardhaman, shortly after Rahul Gandhi's candidature for Rae Bareli was announced.

PM Modi continued, "He is scared and running here and there due to the fear of losing elections. I had already told that 'Shehzada' is losing in Wayanad. All his disciples were saying that they will come to Amethi, but they are running away and looking for a way in Rae Bareli. They say everywhere that don't be afraid, now I will also say that they should not be afraid and run."

Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Rae Bareli marks a significant move in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, as the seat has been held by his mother, Sonia Gandhi, for the past two decades. Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been nominated from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat.

Sharma, who has managed the two prestigious constituencies in the absence of the Gandhis, will file his nomination papers alongside Rahul Gandhi on Friday, the last date for nominations. Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Robert Vadra, and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, has arrived at the Fursatganj Airport in Amethi for the nomination filing. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will also be present in Rae Bareli for the nomination filing, along with a large number of party workers and leaders.