"Shooting in dark...have no face against PM Modi": Former wrestler 'Great Khali' floors INDIA bloc

Barmer (Rajasthan) [India], April 21 : Weighing in on the prospects of the key contenders in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, former WWE wrestler Dalip Singh Rana, popularly known as the 'Great Khali' from his days inside the ring, took a dig at the Congress-led INDIA bloc on Sunday saying they were shooting in the dark and haven't been able to decide on a leader to pit against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking to ANI on Sunday, the champion wrestler said the Opposition alliance was wary not to name a PM candidate as they feared that doing so might hurt their prospects even more.
Rana was in Barmer, Rajasthan, on Sunday to campaign for Union Minister and the BJP candidate from the seat, Kailash Choudhary.
"The leaders in the Opposition alliance are shooting in the dark. They haven't yet been able to declare a consensus PM candidate as they fear that doing so could hurt their prospects even more," the former world heavyweight champion in the WWE, told ANI.
Also taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he said the latter, after facing a string of electoral defeats, has come to accept himself as a failed leader.
"Rahul Gandhi has become 'jumle-bazz' (a leader known to make tall promises without delivering on them). He has taken so many defeats that he has now come to accept himself as a failed leader. He withdrew from the (PM) race himself and made Mallikarjun Kharge the Congress president instead," the former wrestler said.
Likening leaders in the INDIA bloc with 'hyenas' and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a 'lion', Rana said, "No matter how many Opposition leaders come together against PM Modi, they will remain hyenas pitted against a lion. A lion never loses to hyenas in direct combat. They are destined to face defeat."
Heaping praise on PM Modi, Rana said he deserves every accolade that has come his way as he is working relentlessly to take the country forward.
"No amount of praise is enough for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as he is working tirelessly to take the country forward, towards development. Under his leadership, the country, today, enjoys an elevated status on the global stage," the former wrestler said.
Voting for the remaining 13 out of 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan is to be held in the second phase on April 26.
Earlier, on Sunday, Union Minister Kailash Choudhary said the Congress has already accepted defeat in the Lok Sabha polls in the state, as they were 'not visible' anywhere on the campaign trail.
Choudhary said the people in Barmer have full faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that he was confident that the "BJP will register comfortable victories on all 25 Lok Sabha seats".
On his priorities, if elected to the Lok Sabha again from Barmer, Choudhary said he will ensure that the works in the constituency that came to a halt under the previous Congress government in the state are implemented at the earliest.
On Barmer poised for a triangular contest between the BJP, Congress and an Independent candidate in the form of Ravindra Singh Bhati, Choudhary said a three-cornered fight would hurt the grand old party more as it would severely dent their vote bank.
He added that the locals in his constituency were eager to meet the 'Great Khali' and having him on the campaign trail will further lift the morale of the BJP workers going into the elections.
"Khali is my friend. He earned fame and became a household name globally with his exploits in the ring. Having him on the campaign trail will further boost our workers ahead of the elections," Choudhary said.
On Congress leaders claiming that the BJP was fighting the polls on the name and personal charisma of Prime Minister Modi, the BJP leader countered, asking why the Opposition wasn't doing likewise by putting Rahul Gandhi at the front and centre of their campaign.
Choudhary, the sitting Barmer MP, will go up against Ummeda Ram Beniwal of the Congress and independent candidate Ravindra Singh Bhati.
Rajasthan will poll again in the second phase of the general elections on April 26. Polling for 12 Lok Sabha seats in the state concluded on April 19, while the remaining 13 seats will see voting on April 26.
The election for 543 Lok Sabha seats is being held in seven phases, with the first taking place on April 19. The counting of the votes is scheduled for June 4.