Smriti Irani takes a dig at Rahul Gandhi: 'Janeu' only for Assembly elections in 3 states

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted the Congress party of delaying the judicial process on the Ram Temple, Union Minister Smriti Irani on Friday slammed the grand old party for doing politics on something which is a matter of faith for people. Irani also taunted Congress president Rahul Gandhi for wearing 'janeu' and visiting temples during campaigning for Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

"Congress should not do politics through its lawyers on the Ram temple issue, which is a matter of faith for people. Its leaders, as lawyers, are creating hurdles in the court. People and Ram bhakts should ask the party whether its leader wore 'janeu' (sacred thread) only for the polls in three states," the union minister said during his visit to Amethi – the Lok Sabha constituency of Rahul Gandhi.    

Irani was referring to Congress leader and senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who had urged the Supreme Court to defer the hearing of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case until after the 2019 general election. Her remarks came hours after the top court said an appropriate bench constituted by it will pass an order on January 10 to fix the date of hearing in the case.         

He also criticised Gandhi for remaining ‘silent’ when newly appointed Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath had said people from UP and Bihar get employment in the state at the cost of the local population. "Why was Rahul silent when Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath spoke against people from UP and Bihar working in that state? How will he look into the eyes of people in Amethi today?" she said while talking to reporters in Amethi.

Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to visit Amethi today. However, he cancelled the visit because was in Lok Sabha for a debate on the Rafale fighter jet controversy.