• By Vivek Raj
  • Mon, 06 May 2024 08:01 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Several vehicles parked outside the Congress office in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, were reportedly vandalised on Sunday night, sparking accusations from the Congress against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While the police stated they were investigating the incident, the Congress alleged that BJP workers, armed with sticks and rods, targeted their office, and injured some of the Congress workers. The grand old party also alleged that “vehicles of local people were also damaged, and the police administration remained a mute spectator”

In a statement on social media platform X, the Congress accused the BJP of orchestrating the attack, claiming it was a reaction to their anticipated defeat in Amethi. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also took to X and criticized the police for failing to intervene and stop the vandalism, labeling the incident as BJP-sponsored hooliganism.

“Smriti Irani and BJP workers are badly scared in Amethi, UP. Frustrated over the defeat they saw, BJP goons armed with sticks and rods reached outside the Congress office in Amethi and vandalised vehicles parked there. There was an attack on Congress workers and the people of Amethi. Many people are badly injured in this attack… This incident shows that the BJP is going to lose badly in Amethi,” the Congress posted on X while sharing a video of the alleged incident.

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Responding to the Congress's allegations, the Amethi Police assured that necessary legal action would be taken based on the complaint lodged at the Gauriganj police station.

“On the basis of the complaint received at the Gauriganj police station, necessary legal action is being taken by registering a case under the relevant sections,” police said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has not yet reacted to the incident.

The incident comes amid the ongoing political rivalry between the Congress and the BJP in Amethi, where the Congress recently fielded Kishori Lal Sharma against sitting MP Smriti Irani. BJP has continuously targeted Rahul Gandhi over not contesting the Amethi Lok Sabha set, as he chose to fight from Wayanad in Kerala.

The constituency witnessed a significant shift in the 2019 general elections when Irani defeated Rahul Gandhi, ending the Gandhi family's longstanding reign over the seat.

Amethi is scheduled to vote in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 20. The Congress, aiming for a resurgence after consecutive losses in 2014 and 2019, faces the challenge of reclaiming Amethi and retaining Rae Bareli, where Sonia Gandhi had previously held sway.

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Despite the Congress's historical dominance in Rae Bareli, the party's failure to secure any seats in the 2022 assembly elections shows the uphill battle they face in Uttar Pradesh. The results of the Lok Sabha election 2024 will be announced on June 4.