LS Polls: Rahul Gandhi files nomination from Amethi (VIDEO)

New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday filed his nomination papers from Amethi. Among those present at the District Collector’s office included his mother Sonia Gandhi, sister Priyanka Gandhi and Robert Vadra.

The District Collector’s office was decorated with flowers for Rahul’s arrival.

The three-term MP will take on Union minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani in the Lok Sabha election in a virtually direct contest as the SP-BSP-RLD alliance has not fielded any candidate here.

Rahul earlier filed papers from Wayanad in Kerala on April 4.

Rahul’s roadshow before filing papers

Ahead of filing papers, it was a show of strength by Congress president on Amethi streets. Priyanka, husband Robert Vadra and their children are accompanying the Gandhi scion on the cavalcade.

All three can be seen waving to people as Rahul Gandhi’s van criss-crosses the town before filing nominations. Flower petals were showered on the Gandhis on way to District Collector’s office.

Vadra wishes Rahul good luck

Earlier, Rahul’s brother-in-law took to Facebook and wrote, “My best wishes to Rahul for a successful, productive and a healthy future, to create the change INDIA requires. Always in your support.”

Congress President @RahulGandhi to file his nomination in Amethi today.#AmethiKaRahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/YY7aLKKbhm

— Congress (@INCIndia) April 10, 2019

Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s visit, the District Collector office was decorated with flowers.

Rahul will be for the second consecutive time contest against Union Textile Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani from Amethi.

#WATCH Congress President Rahul Gandhi holds road show in Amethi. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra along with her husband Robert Vadra, son Raihan and daughter Miraya also present. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/edDv8W7aHl

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 10, 2019

Irani’s jibe at Robert Vadra

Irani on Tuesday took a jibe at Vadra while downplaying his campaigning for Congress in Amethi and asserted that farmers will run a parallel campaign during his stay to save their lands from him.

Speaking to ANI, Irani said, “Robert Vadra’s campaign will definitely benefit BJP. Wherever Vadra will go, the farmers will come out to save their land. So even if Congress runs an “Aashirwad campaign”, farmers of the region will campaign for saving their land”.

Earlier, Vadra had announced that he would be campaigning for the Congress party in the ensuing Lok Sabha election.

Besides Amethi, Rahul Gandhi will also be contesting from Wayanad seat in Kerala. He filed his nomination for the seat on April 4.

The seven-phase Lok Sabha election will start from Thursday and will end on May 19. The result will be announced on May 23.