Even if Irani loses, she has her Rajya Sabha seat in hand. Given her powerful position and loyalty, she could be offered a ministerial post if BJP comes to power and that will make her a real winner.
The Bhartiya Janata Party has fielded TV actress and dedicated worker Smriti Irani in Amethi against Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Although, the timing of this move seems to be a little late than desirable.
Amethi has been old Gandhi bastion and Aam Aadmi Party’s candidate Kumar Vishwas has been camping in the district for over a month. Irani’s inclusion in the fight gives her nearly ten days to pull up a fight. However, given the dynamism of politics, if Irani projects herself well in Amethi, if not win, she will be able to garner much votes to hurt both Rahul and Vishwas in this fight.
The dynamic personality of Irani is quite apt for standing against Vishwas and Rahul. She is a worker who has earned respect of senior leaders in the party due to her hard work and diligence. From being in the Sushma Swaraj caucus to being a Narendra Modi favourite is a big deal in the party.
Her performance as a party spokesperson has been excellent. The Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, Irani, has managed to up the spirits of the upper house too by actively participating in debates and putting up questions over various issues.
Her preparation before any debate or TV appearance is evident by the apt questions and answers she provides. She has managed to get under the skin of her opponents who at times are thrown away by her well-timed and correct remarks. It was also proved when once Shiv Sena bhakt and now Congress member Sanjay Nirupam lost his political correctness and called her a thumkewali (dance girl) for which she dragged him in court.
Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar considers Irani a big asset. It was her hard work and campaign strategy which enabled BJP to sweep the state in elections. By giving her Amethi seat, BJP has merely confirmed that her position in the party’s higher ranks is firmly cemented.
Irani has already dismissed claims made by Vishwas in Amethi by saying that her “fight is with Congress and not its B-team”. She has invited Rahul and Vishwas to debate on the issues of Amethi and she is camping in the constituency now.
There is no denying the fact that 10 days are quite less for campaigning and unseating Rahul. Afterall, the seat has become a synonym for Gandhi. Also Vishwas’s ratings have not pulled up even after a month’s campaign in the area.
The odds are that she will lose or may even come third in this race. But she is bound to hurt the vote shares of both Rahul and Vishwas.
But even if Irani loses, she has her Rajya Sabha seat in hand. Given her powerful position and loyalty, she could be offered a ministerial post if BJP comes to power and that will make her a real winner.
