During a rally in Raebareli, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi made a bold claim, asserting his influence over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rhetoric by stating, "I can make the Prime Minister say whatever I want."
Gandhi took a dig at PM Modi, suggesting that the latter had mimicked phrases used by him. He recounted instances where he mentioned certain phrases, only for PM Modi to echo them in his subsequent speeches. "I said 'Narendra Modiji, you never mention Adani, Ambani,' and two days later, Narendra Modi said 'Adani-Ambani'," Gandhi remarked. He continued, "I said we'll transfer money into bank accounts taka-tak taka-tak taka-tak... PM Modi then used 'taka-tak' in his speech."
Gandhi further engaged with the audience, inviting them to suggest what they would like to hear from PM Modi, confidently asserting that he could influence the Prime Minister's speech.
Asserting his connection with the electorate, Gandhi stated, "If you don’t want PM Modi to say something, you can tell me that as well."
Gandhi is contesting the Lok Sabha election from Raebareli, a seat previously held by his mother, Sonia Gandhi, who recently transitioned to the Rajya Sabha. Despite speculation surrounding his choice of Amethi as a second Lok Sabha seat, Gandhi opted to contest from Raebareli, while Congress fielded Kishori Lal Sharma in Amethi.
Additionally, Gandhi is also contesting from Wayanad in Kerala, a seat he won in the 2019 elections. The upcoming elections in Amethi and Raebareli are scheduled for May 20, marking the fifth phase of the seven-phase polling process.