Narendra Modi addressing an election rally in Bhadohi, UP, on Sunday
is taking his battle to
Rahul Gandhi's door-step. Today, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate is scheduled to address a rally in Amethi, the Congress vice-president's constituency in Uttar Pradesh.
In doing so, Mr Modi will break the convention of top political leaders refraining from campaigning in constituencies represented by their main opponents. Mr Gandhi, 43, is widely expected to be the Prime Minister if the Congress wins a third straight term at the Centre this time.
"I'm going to Amethi due to the love and affection of the workers there. Some big leaders are going to lose in the election this time," Mr Modi said while addressing a 3D rally on Sunday.
The BJP has also for the first time put up a semblance of a contest in Amethi against Mr Gandhi, its two-time MP, by fielding popular actor-turned-politician
Smriti Irani. With Kumar Vishwas of the Aam Aadmi Party also in the fray, the battle for Amethi has turned into a keenly-watched contest.
Amethi votes on May 7, the penultimate phase of the nine-phase general election. Mr Modi has chosen the last day of campaigning to hit the constituency, a Gandhi seat for decades. (
Elections: full coverage)
Ahead of Mr Modi's visit, Rahul, along with her sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, held a roadshow in Amethi on Sunday. Priyanka has held fort in Amethi in his stead, launching from the family bastion an aggressive attack on the BJP and Mr Modi, in an attempt to infuse fire into her party's campaign. (
'They Are Dumping Malicious Booklets Like Cowards': Priyanka vs BJP)
Priyanka's attack on the BJP came after the rival party hurled charges of corruption against her husband, Robert Vadra, a businessman. (
BJP's sharpest attack ever on Robert Vadra)
Mr Modi, in his recent election rallies, has been taunting the Congress vice-president by comparing him with stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma. (
Read more...) Mr Gandhi, on his part, has been attacking the BJP's prime ministerial candidate for promoting crony-capitalism in Gujarat, and leaving farmers in the lurch. (
Crony capitalism an election issue in BJP vs Congress)