UP Election 2017: Smriti Irani Knows Why Priyanka Gandhi's Not Campaigning

Amethi: Campaigning for her party - the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, Union minister Smriti Irani took on Priyanka Gandhi, whose brother and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has teamed up with the Samajwadi Party and Akhilesh Yadav for the ongoing Assembly elections in the state. Speaking about the people of Amethi, a key constituency for the Congress, Ms Irani said that Priyanka Gandhi is not campaigning here because she cannot face the people and their questions. Ms Irani, who was addressing a press conference in Amethi, said that despite losing the Lok Sabha election from Amethi in 2014 to Rahul Gandhi she has been working regularly for the people of the constituency.

Priyanka Gandhi, however, has been avoiding to campaign in Amethi because of "unfulfilled promises," Ms Irani said, claiming that "Priyanka (Gandhi) wants to avoid people's questions."

Speaking about Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi forming a Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance in the state, Ms Irani said, "(Chief Minister) Akhilesh Yadav went with Congress because he was not confident."

When asked whether she would be the BJP's chief ministerial candidate if the party comes to power in Uttar Pradesh, Ms Irani evaded the question by saying that currently every BJP worker is focusing on the job at hand and wants to see the BJP win.

Speaking about the BSP and its chief Mayawati's recent comments targeting the BJP, Ms Irani said that Ms Mayawati just wants to "remain in headlines".

Uttar Pradesh, which is scheduled to vote in seven phases, has already finished the first two phases of polling. The third phase is scheduled for February 19. The counting of votes will take place on March 11.