Everyone has the right to cast their votes freely and peacefully, says Maneka Gandhi
Union Minister Maneka Gandhi was caught on camera arguing with a rival candidate at Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh, from where she is contesting as a BJP candidate, as voting took place in the sixth round of the national election.
Maneka Gandhi told Sonu Singh, the candidate of the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance, that his supporters were threatening voters.
On camera, the two leaders fought standing on either side of a Toyota Fortuner, pointing fingers at each other and arguing.
Maneka Gandhi was heard warning her rival that his ''dabbangai (bullying)" won't work but Sonu Singh denied her charge. Supporters of the SP-BSP gathbandhan raised slogans in their candidate's support before the two leaders went their way.
"We were here for the booth inspection and were taking care that there should not be any criminal element at or around the polling booths. One of the persons with Singh is absconding from the prison. These people are threatening and pressurising the people before voting. This is not at all right and acceptable. Everyone has the right to cast their votes freely and peacefully," Maneka Gandhi told ANI.
Sonu Singh, a leader of Mayawati's BSP, denied any wrongdoing. "The entire village is supporting me. There is no point in making false allegations. I am 100 per cent sure of my victory," he said.
Maneka Gandhi is the lawmaker from Pilibhit. In this election, she has swapped seats with son and BJP leader Varun Gandhi, who is the lawmaker for Sultanpur.
Fourteen of Uttar Pradesh's 80 seats voted on Sunday. The results will be declared on May 23.