Smriti Irani tips hat to Rahul Gandhi over ‘changed’ politics

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Former Union Minister Smriti Irani said that Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had changed his political strategy. She argued that Gandhi had transitioned from politics of visible Hindu piety to one of caste and social justice when he found that the former wasn’t working.

Irani, who has a reputation for being a Gandhi basher, also warned Rahul’s critics that they could no longer treat him like a laughing stock. She made the comments on the ‘Shushant Sinha’ podcast on August 28.

“He (Gandhi) asked himself if bowing before god (in public) isn’t paying us political dividends, then what will? He figured he could extract something out of caste. The issue is to do with political traction. If this had been his (genuine) political thought, then it would have been visible in his politics from the beginning. However, this is just one of their political strategies,” Irani said.

“He says these kinds of things on social media. He also knows that Miss India won’t form the government. He says these kinds of things because it’ll make headlines. When he does this, you have to assess his strategy from the top angle. When you become a part of their game and get angry, then they’re successful,” she added.

Smriti reiterated there had been a tangible change in Rahul’s politics.

“There is a change in Rahul Gandhi’s politics. He thinks he has tasted success. For the first time in his political career, he is speaking on caste. He is sending out a message to the younger generation by wearing a white t-shirt in the Parliament. We shouldn’t be under the misconception that the steps he takes, even if they seem either good or bad or even childish to you, he is engaging in politics on another level,” she said.

RIVALRY DATES BACK TO 2014

Irani first contested against Gandhi from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat in UP in 2014 and lost by more than a lakh votes.

However, Smriti returned as a “giant slayer” and defeated Rahul from the same seat in 2019 by upwards of 55,000 votes. Earlier this year, Congressman Kishori Lal Sharma wrested their stronghold from Irani by more than 1,66,000 votes.

Back in June, Smriti was trolled online after she lost her seat upon which Rahul posted on X (previously Twitter) advising Congress supporters from directing mockery at Irani. The BJP leader appears to have returned the favour with her latest comments.