Union Minister Smriti Irani has raised serious allegations against the Gandhi family, claiming that residents of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh are being deprived of their land under the guise of industrialization. Irani, who currently represents Amethi as a BJP Lok Sabha MP, accused the Gandhis of engaging in land-grabbing activities in the region, which was once a stronghold of the Gandhi family until Irani defeated Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 general election.
In a detailed conversation with ANI's Smita Prakash on her podcast, Irani expressed her concerns. She highlighted that the Gandhis purportedly secured 30 acres of land for a mere Rs 600, only to construct an elaborate complex for themselves. She underscored her disbelief at the idea that the heads of the Gandhi family foundation, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Vadra, could allegedly orchestrate the seizure of farmers' and others' land in Amethi under the pretext of industrialization.
Irani went on to disclose additional claims, asserting that the Gandhis allegedly seized a parcel of land designated for minority female students and repurposed it for their own office. According to Irani, girls who opposed the Gandhi family and staged protests against them were purportedly subjected to imprisonment.
Having lost to Rahul Gandhi in Amethi during the 2014 General Elections, Irani avenged her defeat in 2019, securing the parliamentary seat from Gandhi. At 47, she stands as the youngest member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet.
During the podcast, Irani also delved into her early life, shedding light on her motivation to move away from the political environment in Delhi and establish her own identity in Mumbai. She expressed frustration with the perceived credit given to her actions based on her family background and emphasized her desire to be recognized for her merit.
Irani revealed internal family conflicts arising from diverse political ideologies within her household, with her father having affiliations with the Congress party and her mother being associated with the Jan Sangh. She disclosed that her father's political involvement ceased after the death of former Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi, and she vividly recalled witnessing his emotional response to the event.
Addressing her political journey, Irani disclosed a grudge held by paternal relatives who questioned her decision to join politics and align with the BJP. Reflecting on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi, she passionately linked her criticism of the Gandhis to her childhood experiences, asserting that the impact of such events remains ingrained in her despite her success in life.
