The BJP leader, who famously defeated Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in his long-held Amethi constituency, was asked why she no longer took an aggressive stance against him. She responded, “Because the Gandhi family refused to fight me in 2024.”
Irani
further said that there was no political battle to be fought in Amethi in 2024 because Gandhi had decided not to run. “If they aren’t even stepping into the battlefield, what am I supposed to say? I can’t go chasing after them,” she added.
The Congress nominated KL Sharma from Amethi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, who defeated Irani.
She cited political history to argue that losing in Amethi is not uncommon for big leaders. “History shows Amethi has not been an easy seat. Senior leaders like Sharad Yadav have lost from there. Even Maneka Gandhi lost from Amethi, even though she was from the family,” she said.
“No intelligent leader chooses a seat where defeat appears imminent. As a party worker, though, if one is given that seat to fight, one accepts it as a duty. In 2019, I turned the impossible into possible,” Irani added.
Smriti added that she worked a lot in the constituency after losing to Rahul Gandhi in the 2014.
“From cleaning drains to building one lakh homes and setting up a medical college, I lived among the people and worked at the grassroots,” she said.
When Kashyap asked her why she lost, Irani said, “Because there’s a difference between work and political equations. Those who are in politics understand this – electoral politics isn’t the same as national service.”
“I don’t live life in a limited or narrow way. If life is lived from only one perspective, then what kind of life is that? I entered national politics because I felt that there are many issues in our society that need attention — whether through politics or in the media,” she said.
She is making her comeback on the screen after 25 years, reprising her iconic role as Tulsi Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2. She further clarified that her return to TV does not signal a retirement from politics.
“Why did I decide to return to acting? The answer may sound childish, but I wanted to. I’ve always been like this,” she said.
“That show brought a revolution in television. Back then, there were no women producing series, nor were there many women leading as central characters. We defined television in a unique way,” Irani added.
