With Rahul not contesting from Amethi, BJP and Congress chalk out fresh strategy

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Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is camping in Rae Bareli and overseeing the Amethi campaign as well till the end of campaigning on May 18.

Addressing party workers at Rae Bareli's Bhuyemau guest house late on Monday evening, Priyanka said she was there for the election of her elder brother Rahul Gandhi and friend KL Sharma. She exhorted party workers to put a sturdy fight promising them that she would be there shoulder-to-shoulder with them.

"If anyone wants to step back due to fear, this is the time to do so because I will not allow you to retract after this. We must fight together and ensure victory in both Rae Bareli and Amethi," said Priyanka.

The Congress general secretary said Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi were arrested by the British in an agitation of farmers in Rae Bareli. "This is the election of Rahul Bhaiya. This is very personal for us. This place (Rae Bareli) will send a message to the entire country. This is the fortress that the BJP failed to breach in the 2019 polls and this is the fortress you defended," she said.

"This is the land, which has the blood of my family mixed and we are fighting for it. Your ancestors have laid their lives for this land...it's holy for us," she said to her party cadre.

She accused the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not formulating policies in favour of the poor, and instead neglecting them. "The Modi government is weakening democratic institutions. Those who fought for the country never thought they would be called anti-national by a government," said the Congress leader.