Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani on Friday said the Lok Sabha constituency of Amethi, a bastion of the Gandhi family, has "deserted" its current MP, Congress President Rahul Gandhi.
"Amethi has deserted Rahul Gandhi. It is up to him when he would leave Amethi alone," Irani said, when asked to comment on speculations that Gandhi may not contest the polls from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh in 2019.
Irani contested the 2014 general elections against Gandhi in Amethi but lost by a margin of more than one lakh votes.
Amethi, traditionally a stronghold of Congress, has been represented by Sanjay Gandhi (1980-81), former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi (1981-1991) and his widow Sonia Gandhi (1999-2004). Rahul Gandhi has held on to the seat since 2004.
--IANS
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