Amethi: Smriti alleges Rahul is 'capturing booths', Congress rubbishes claims
Locked in a direct contest with Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister Smriti Irani on Monday claimed the former was indulging in booth capturing in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, which went into polls. Dismissing her allegations, Congress said Smriti is just looking for excuses as she knows she will be defeated for a second time. The fifth phase of elections is underway. Here's more.
Old woman claimed she was forced to vote for Congress
Smriti tweeted a video of an old lady who claimed she was forced to vote for Congress. The woman can be heard saying that she wanted to vote for lotus (BJP) but someone held her hand to press the button adjacent to palm symbol (Congress). The voter also claimed her protests went unheard. Tweeting the video as "alert", Smriti tagged Election Commission.
BJP member tweeted video, Smriti flagged the issue
Smriti hoped EC would take action; Congress called her desperate
Speaking on the alleged incident, Smriti said she is hoping EC takes action. "People of the country have to decide whether this kind of politics of Rahul Gandhi should be punished or not," she said. But Congress saw desperation in her complaint. Spokesperson Zeeshan Haider said, "It now is more than clear that she has lost. Now, she is looking for excuses."
Haider accused EC of working in biased manner
"If Rahul Gandhi ji is capturing booths, and capturing votes, then what is the Election Commission doing that has been working in a biased manner in favor of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah," Haider added.
Priyanka takes my name more times than her husband: Smriti
Speaking to media, Smriti also took a jibe at Rahul's sister and Congress in-charge for UP East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. "She did not know my name 5 years back, now she keeps taking my name, such an accomplishment. Nowadays she takes her husband's name less and my name more," Smriti added. In Rahul's absence, Priyanka campaigned for him relentlessly in his bastion.
Amethi's high-octane battle will be keenly watched
Rahul and Smriti faced each other in 2014 as well and the former won by a margin of 1,00,000 votes. But in the last five years, Smriti emerged as a strong challenger to Rahul and attacked him for ignoring Amethi and its development. Rahul is also contesting from Wayanad. Smriti had claimed he knew he would lose from Amethi, hence went south.
