April 6, 2024: Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani took a jibe at the Congress over its situation in Kerala, where, despite being partners in the opposition INDIA bloc, the Communist Party of India has fielded Annie Raja against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad constituency.

Annie Raja on Wednesday filed her nomination for Lok Sabha elections from Wayanad Constituency. The CPI is a partner of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front in Kerala.

The BJP has fielded its Kerala Chief K Surendran from Wayanad, making it a three-way battle.

During an interview with businessmen in Bengaluru, the leader Irani said, "The condition of the Opposition is that they are fighting in Wayanad. Left parties are asking why does Rahul Gandhi not go to Uttar Pradesh and contest? But when the same Left goes to Delhi for an INDI Alliance meeting, they hug Rahul Gandhi."

The leader also said, “Yesterday I said in Kerala, 'Delhi mein hugging, Kerala mein begging.' The situation through which the Congress is going through in Karnataka, It is Delhi mein hugging, Kerala mein begging, Karnataka mein thugging”.