"Rajya Sabha Route": PM Modi Takes Swipe At Sonia Gandhi, Says Rahul Gandhi Will Search Safe Seat After Wayanad Polling

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a veiled swipe at Sonia Gandhi, suggesting that those unable to win elections opt for the Rajya Sabha route to enter Parliament.

Speaking at a rally in Jalore, Rajasthan, PM Modi criticised the Congress for sending leaders to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan instead of contesting elections.

He stated, "Manmohan Singh was ill for a long time. But was he ever seen here in Rajasthan? Now Rajasthan has again come to Congress' help. Another Congress leader (Sonia Gandhi) has been elected from Rajasthan to the Rajya Sabha. "Jo log chunav nahi lad sakte, jeet sakte (those who can't contest and win an election) fled the ground and took the Rajya Sabha route." 

PM Modi also criticised the Congress party's diminishing electoral presence, contrasting its current struggles to its past dominance.

He mentioned the party's difficulty in finding candidates for 300 seats, despite once winning 400 seats. PM Modi also highlighted the fragmented nature of the opposition bloc, particularly the INDI Alliance, which he claimed was plagued by internal conflicts.

Regarding the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi predicted Rahul Gandhi's departure from Wayanad, similar to his loss in Amethi in 2019.

He suggested that Rahul Gandhi would seek a safe seat after the elections due to anticipated defeat in Wayanad.

Meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi announced her decision to vacate her Raebareli seat due to health reasons. The Congress has not yet named a candidate for the seat, which is scheduled for polling on 20 May.