New Delhi: Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov has clarified his “little joke” about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in which he appeared to have mocked the politician for contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha elections from the Rae Bareli seat — previously held by Rahul’s mother, Sonia Gandhi — rather than Amethi, where Rahul lost in 2019 to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and Union minister Smriti Irani.
Also in the fray in Wayanad, Rahul filed his nomination from Rae Bareli seat Friday.
“I very much hope my little joke does not pass for advocacy or expertise in Indian politics!” Kasparov, the Russian chess grandmaster, who retired in 2005, said in a statement on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) Saturday.
“But as an ‘all-seeing monster with 1,000 eyes,’ as I was once described, I cannot fail to see a politician dabbling in my beloved game!” he added.
I very much hope my little joke does not pass for advocacy or expertise in Indian politics! But as an "all-seeing monster with 1000 eyes," as I was once described, I cannot fail to see a politician dabbling in my beloved game! https://t.co/MlBnR4PeZ6
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) May 3, 2024
Earlier Wednesday, the Congress released a short video across social media platforms capturing Rahul’s thoughts on chess and politics while on the campaign trail.
Strategy, patience & foresight! ♟️
Just like in chess, Shri @RahulGandhi stays ahead of the game, always thinking several moves ahead! pic.twitter.com/5TMujizPw7
— Congress (@INCIndia) May 1, 2024
In the video, Rahul can be heard saying that he started playing chess when he was seven. The caption of the video read: “In chess as in politics, every move your opponent makes can be used to your advantage.”
In the video, Rahul named Kasparov as his favourite chess player of all. “He (Kasparov) puts a lot of psychological pressure. He’s a non-linear thinker,” Rahul said and later explained the similarities between politics and chess.
Hours later, without naming the Congress leader, Kasparov responded to an internet user by saying that traditionally, a politician should first win from Rae Bareli.
“Traditional (sic) dictates that you should first win from Raebareli before challenging for the top!” he wrote, after which his statement on ‘X’ was shared over 11,000 times.
Traditional dictates that you should first win from Raebareli before challenging for the top! 😂
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) May 3, 2024
In Amethi, Union minister Smriti Irani is on the ballot again after sending shockwaves in the last Lok Sabha elections by defeating Rahul, who later became an MP from Wayanad, Kerala.
Earlier this week, while commenting on the Congress leader’s decision to switch from Amethi to Rae Bareli, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, criticised Sonia Gandhi for not contesting the Lok Sabha elections. “I had said, their biggest leader will not dare to contest. She (Sonia Gandhi) will run away out of fear. She ran to Rajasthan and from there entered Rajya Sabha. That is exactly what happened,” Modi said.
Referring to Rahul as “shehzade (prince)”, Modi accused him of being afraid of losing in Amethi. “These people keep going around telling people ‘Daro Mat’. Today, I will also tell them… ji bhar ke kehta hoon. arrey daro mat, bhaago mat (do not fear, do not flee).”
(Edited by Richa Mishra)