Amethi: Union Minister Smriti Irani will visit Rahul Gandhi's constituency Amethi on May 12 to meet farmers affected by untimely rains, but an irked Congress has said it will oppose it over the cancellation of food park project.
Just days after Irani, who had unsuccessfully contested against Rahul in Lok Sabha elections, attacked the Congress vice-president accusing him of ignoring his constituency for the last 10 years, BJP today announced that she will address 'Kisan Panchayats' in all blocks in the pocket-borough of the Nehru-Gandhi family.
"Smriti Irani will visit Amethi on May 12 during which she will address Kisan Panchayat in all the blocks," BJP district unit president Durgesh Tripathi said, adding, "She will listen to the woes of the farmers who have suffered massive losses due to untimely rains and hailstorm."
Congress has said that it will oppose the visit of the Union Human Resource Development minister.
Congress district president Yogendra Yadav and Rahul Gandhi's representative Chandrakant Dubey said that the party will oppose Irani's visit over cancellation of the mega food park project in Amethi.
The food park issue was raised in Lok Sabha by Rahul Gandhi who attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of practising "politics of revenge".
Irani had hit back at Rahul Gandhi alleging he had ignored his constituency when Congress was in power at the Centre.
"The food park was announced in 2010, when the Congress government was at the Centre. Eight extensions were sought for the project as it was not considered viable. But did the MP take even eight steps to make the project a reality," Irani had said without naming the Congress vice-president.
