AAP leader Kumar Vishwas visits Dalit family that Rahul Gandhi stayed with

New Delhi: Politician Kumar Vishwas, who mocked Rahul Gandhi for visiting Dalit houses in Uttar Pradesh to score photo-ops, today visited one of those homes.

Mr Vishwas, who is with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and has vowed to run for parliament from Mr Gandhi's constituency of Amethi, spent time today - on camera - with a woman named Sunita. In the campaign for the last general election, Mr Gandhi had spent the night with her family in 2008. (Black flags shown to Kumar Vishwas on way to Amethi)

Mr Vishwas, when asked to explain what seems to be blatant double-speak, said that he happened to be in the vicinity of Sunita's village and felt compelled to see her. "I was just passing by this place when I was told by the party workers that Rahul Gandhi spent a night in a house here in 2008. We also heard stories about him spending nights and having meals in Dalit homes. I wanted to see the changes that have actually taken place myself. But there doesn't seem to be any difference," he said.

Sunita said that her home was set on fire by local criminals who allegedly belong to the ruling Samjawadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, and that Mr Gandhi ignored her subsequent pleas for help and rehabilitation. (I will not have dinner at Dalit's house and call TV crews to cover: Kumar Vishwas)

Mr Vishwas, who is 43, held a rally in Amethi yesterday, taking on Mr Gandhi on his home turf. He said the Congress vice-president "had just indulged in symbolism by eating in the houses of Dalits."

Mr Vishwas, who is a Hindi poet and professor, said that Sunita is evidence of Mr Gandhi's disinterest in helping the people of his constituency. "They (the Congress) picked one Sunita for their political stunt, it's so shameful... it is a very emotional moment for me because if this is politics then we will have to change it, and if that doesn't happen, then a man like me might have to quit politics."