‘AK rifle factory in Amethi, the same rifle…’: Smriti Irani jabs ex-Pak minister
In Short
- Smriti Irani slams Rahul Gandhi over former Pakistan minister’s praise for him
- Credits PM Modi for development in Amethi, including rifle factory
- Questions Rahul Gandhi’s relationship with Pakistan
Union Minister Smriti Irani has criticized Rahul Gandhi for failing to denounce praise from former Pakistani minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain.
Irani seized the opportunity to highlight developments in Amethi, asserting that the region now hosts a factory producing AK 203 rifles, instrumental in countering Pakistani terrorists along the border.
Speaking at a rally, Irani took aim at Gandhi over Hussain’s social media endorsement, questioning Gandhi’s silence and pressing him on his association with Pakistan.
She condemned the former Pakistani minister’s interference in Indian electoral affairs, asserting that Hussain should focus on Pakistan rather than meddling in Amethi’s political landscape.
Irani juxtaposed the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in establishing the AK 203 rifle factory in Amethi against Gandhi’s alleged failure to address Hussain’s praise.
She accused Gandhi of seeking support from foreign entities instead of focusing on domestic electoral campaigns.
The incident stemmed from Hussain’s May 1 social media post featuring a video of Rahul Gandhi criticizing the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Subsequently, on May 4, Hussain lauded Gandhi once more, this time commending his party’s proposed wealth redistribution survey, drawing parallels between Gandhi and his great-grandfather, India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, both described as socialists.
As Irani seeks reelection from Amethi, Gandhi contests from Raebareli. Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been nominated as the Congress candidate for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, as announced by the party on May 3.