An unusually combative Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tore into Union minister Smriti Irani on Monday accusing her of insulting the people of Amethi by distributing shoes there.
“The objectionable thing is that Smriti Irani ji came here and distributed shoes. This is not disrespect to Rahul Gandhi. This is insult to people of Amethi and Rae Bareli. People of Amethi and Rae Bareli have never begged in front of anyone. Whosoever has come in front of them, have come with respect. My family have realised that people made us. You have given power and love as well. You are the one who make us leaders,” she said at a Nukkad Sabha Rae Bareli.
Priyanka Gandhi, before being appointed the Congress general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh in January, used to manage the election for Rahul Gandhi in Amethi and Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli.
BJP has fielded Irani against the Congress president in Amethi for a second successive time. In 2014, Rahul had defeated her by a margin of over one lakh votes.
Priyanka accused the BJP of making tall but empty promises and misleading voters in Amethi and elsewhere and charged them with neglecting the basic issues concerning the people.
“There is huge difference between ground reality and their publicity hype. People are facing a hard time due to the BJP’s policies. From demonetization to GST, their policies destroyed lives of people. I have been visiting UP. I have seen the pain of the farmers who complain that stray cattle are destroying their fields. I have heard small traders complain of GST worries. I have seen youth lament about joblessness. They have stopped development works in Amethi,” she said.
Irani was quick to hit back. “I have been an actor and it would be better if Priyanka ji stopped her acting. As far as the plight of those poor people who did not have shoes to wear, if she has even a bit of shame she should go and see for herself what the truth is,” ANI quoted her as saying.
{{/usCountry}}Irani was quick to hit back. “I have been an actor and it would be better if Priyanka ji stopped her acting. As far as the plight of those poor people who did not have shoes to wear, if she has even a bit of shame she should go and see for herself what the truth is,” ANI quoted her as saying.
{{/usCountry}}Priyanka also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi claiming that he has not visited a single village in his constituency.
“Rajiv Gandhi used to visit areas of his constituency. Rahul Gandhi also visits villages. When I went to Varanasi and asked the people if Prime Minister has come there they said he has not visited a single village in the last five years,” she said.
Amethi and Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh are scheduled to go to polls in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 6. Polling in Varanasi will be held in the last phase on May 19.