Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani made a frontal attack on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi claiming that the local MP was ‘missing in action’ in his own parliamentary constituency Amethi.
Addressing a Kisan Sammelan during her visit to Amethi on Tuesday, Irani said when the farmers of the area were facing miseries the Congress scion was unwinding on his two-month-long rest and did not care for his voters. “I am happy that (he is) following in my footsteps, people of Amethi could see their MP,” she said in a pointed reference to Rahul Gandhi, while announcing a two-day visit to the constituency from May 18. When reporters asked her about the timing of the visit, she said she had announced it much earlier and “his timing is suspect, not mine.”
Replying to charges leveled by Congress MP on the Narendra Modi Government for scrapping the mega food park in the constituency, Irani said when the Congress was in power they did nothing for the project. “Why did not Rahul take up the matter and got the project started when UPA was in powerIJ” she asserted.
Irani further alleged that Rahul Gandhi was lobbying for corporate houses. “Even after eight extensions, the company did not go ahead with construction,” she added. Despite the State Government refusing to give subsidy land was acquired for the project in 2010. The Union Minister also said that she would visit Amethi again towards the end of this month to meet farmers and declare some more facilities for them.
Meanwhile, a scuffle broke out between BJP and Congress workers in Jais area of Amethi during Irani’s visit on Tuesday. Timely intervention of police saved the situation while both the groups raised slogans against each other.
Earlier, Irani during her address at the Kisan Sammelans announced that the Centre has approved that farmers will be eligible for input subsidy if 33 per cent or more of their crop is damaged. She also handed over compensation cheques to the family of a deceased. Irani also launched a pro-farmer campaign in Amethi and met with farmers affected by untimely rains. The visit of Irani comes just a week ahead of the scheduled visit of the local MP and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on May 18-19.