‘What Congress Couldn’t Do in 60 Years, Modi Govt Has Done in Two’

Irani attacked Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi saying, “How will politics of family help Amethi?”

HRD Minister Smriti Irani (Photo: PTI)

Union minister Smriti Irani on Thursday said she had “reduced” the victory margin of Rahul Gandhi by 80 percent because the Nehru-Gandhi family did not fulfill its promises.

Inaugurating a rest house at a bus station in Salon, which falls in Amethi Lok Sabha constituency represented by Rahul, Smriti said,

The work, which Congress could not do in past 60 years, the present Narendra Modi government has done only in two years. You all workers should be prepared for 2017 (UP assembly) polls. The Nehru-Gandhi family has not fulfilled its promises due to which I have reduced victory margin of Rahul by 80 percent.

Irani had contested against the Congress Vice President in the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

How will politics of family help Amethi? Congress workers are “dissatisfied and their behaviour was not normal.”

Asked whether she would be BJP’s chief ministerial candidate for 2017 UP Assembly polls, Irani said,

I am a disciplined party worker and will follow whatever order is given.

On contesting again from Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, her refrain was the same.

Replying to a question on her visits to Amethi, Irani said,

I go there as Smriti Irani but the love of the people has made me ‘didi’ and we will continue to work for the people of this constituency. 

Stressing that development will be speeded up, she said, “Our main objective is to provide the needy people basic amenities.”

On chanting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, Irani said it is the right of every Indian to chant it but it should be not “forced” on anyone.