Dehradun: The Congress Discipline Committee Chairman and former Cabinet Minister Nav Prabhat, on Sunday, criticized the BJP's criticism over Rahul Gandhi's candidature from the Rae Bareli seat, saying that the BJP has become afflicted with a phobia due to Rahul Gandhi's popularity.

"BJP has become afflicted with a phobia due to Rahul Gandhi's popularity. The Congress family was associated with the Raebareli seat in 1952 and Rahul Gandhi has chosen the same seat as Feroze Gandhi, I consider this to be the right step," Prabhat told the media.

Commenting on KL Sharma's candidature, the former cabinet minister said, "As far as Amethi is considered, Kishori Lal Sharma has been working in Amethi for the last 50 years. Congress has made the right decision by choosing someone who has been playing a major role for a long time. I am confident of KL Sharma's win."

"BJP is counting abrogation of Article 370 as its biggest achievement to the public, but is BJP contesting elections in Kashmir Valley where it removed Artice 370? Is BJP contesting elections in Manipur which they ignored...," Prabhat added.

He further criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his silence on issues that are currently making headlines in the country.

"Prime Minister Modi is not giving any clarification on the Prajwal Revanna sexual assault case and the Covishield case. PM Modi is indulged in cheap politics."

Rahul Gandhi currently represents Wayanad in the Lok Sabha while Smriti Irani is bidding for a fresh term from Amethi. Raebareli was held by Sonia Gandhi who became a member of Rajya Sabha.

Rahul represented Amethi in the Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2019. His father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, too, was an elected member of Amethi in the Lower House from 1981 till his death in 1991.

The Congress, which is contesting 17 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh as part of the seat-sharing deal with the Samajwadi Party (SP), has announced candidates for all the seats barring Amethi and Raebareli.

Rahul's defeat in Amethi, once considered a Congress 'pocket borough', at the hands of Smriti Irani in the 2019 polls was seen as a significant blow to the party's national prestige.

Amethi and Rae Bareli are going to polls in the fifth phase on May 20. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.

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