War of words between Priyanka Gandhi, Smriti Irani over distribution of shoes in Amethi

A war of words has erupted between Congress vice president for Uttar Pradesh (east) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Union Minister Smriti Irani over the distribution of shoes in Amethi, home turf of AICC president Rahul Gandhi. Slamming Smriti for distributing shoes, Priyanka said that the BJP’s candidate was doing it in order to insult Rahul but she was actually insulting the people of this constituency. 

"The people of Amethi and Rae Bareli have self-respect. They have never begged before anyone for anything... She (Irani) thinks she can insult Rahul Gandhi by doing this...She is insulting them...let them (BJP) beg for votes," Priyanka said referring to the union minister who had earlier distributed shoes to the locals of the constituency.

#WATCH: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra,says,"Ye Smriti Irani ji yahan aai aur unhone joote baante ye kehne ke liye ki inke pas joote bhi nahi hai pehene ke liye. Ye soch rahi hain ki Rahul ji ka apmaan kar rahi hai, ye kar rahi hain Amethi ki janta ka apmaan." pic.twitter.com/G0bpG4SwpK

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 22, 2019

Dubbing Smriti Irani as an ‘outsider’, she accused her of misleading the voters in Amethi and elsewhere and charged them with neglecting the basic issues concerning the people.

"People of Amethi and Rae Bareli have self-respect and they do not beg from anyone...Go, tell them that the people of these constituencies support those who stand amidst them," she said.

"The people of Amethi are very sensible. You all know who was going to open a food park in Amethi and the fact that it has not been opened till now. The food park would have benefitted five lakh farmers in Amethi and Rae Bareli," she said.

Reacting sharply to Priyanka’s statement, Smriti Irani said that Priyanka Gandhi should stop doing ‘drama’ and visit the constituency to know the truth.

“I was an actor and therefore I know how to do drama (natak)… Priyanka should abstain from doing it… As far as those poor villagers are concerned who don’t have shoes… She (Priyanka Gandhi) should go to that place and see the ground reality,” Smriti Irani said.

Union Minister Smriti Irani: Actor main reh chuki hoon toh natak Priyanka ji na hi karein to behtar hai, jahan tak baat un gharib nagrikon ki hai jinke paas pehne ko joota nahi tha,toh kripya karke agar unme thodi bhi sharm ho to khud ja ke dekh lein ki sach kya hai pic.twitter.com/vwQraaqaVn

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 22, 2019

Irani had contested the 2014 national elections from Amethi against Rahul Gandhi but lost and has been again fielded by the BJP to challenge the Congress president.