AAP's Kumar Vishwas to contest Lok Sabha polls against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi

NEW DELHI: AAP’s poet-turned-politician Kumar Vishwas has confirmed he would contest against Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in the Gandhi family pocketborough of Amethi in UP and dared BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to do the same.

“I want to tell Modi that he should stop speaking about Rahul for 50 minutes in his one-hour speeches. If he really wants to end Gandhi's stint from Amethi, then let him contest from Amethi. Let Rahul, me and Modi contest from Amethi and let people see who wins,” Vishwas said on Monday.

Saying he would follow Gandhi in case he decided to change his constituency, Vishwas tore into the Congress vice president’s record as a politician. “Rahul Gandhi cannot hide the 10 years of Congress misrule by rolling up his sleeves and tearing a few pieces of papers. He has not asked a single question in Lok Sabha, he was never in the picture whenever an important issue like Lokpal or women security was in the limelight.”

Congress, however, ridiculed Vishwas. “All those who want to taste defeat should contest from Amethi.”

“Whoever wants to taste defeat is free to fight from Amethi,” said party spokesperson Sandip Dikshit.

Vishwas has formally applied for a ticket from Amethi. Although he will be officially anointed the party’s candidate from Amethi only after his name is put to vote. ET had first reported AAP’s intention to field Vishwas against Gandhi on December 21.

Giving reasons for the party’s choice, AAP leader Sanjay Singh had told ET then: “His poetic skill is his biggest strength. He is the best person to launch a poetic but sharp attack against Gandhi and Congress’ dynastic politics.”