No votes, no work: Maneka Gandhi threatens Muslim voters
What's the story
Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Maneka Gandhi was caught on camera threatening Muslim voters in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, from where she will contest polls this time. Maneka told Muslim voters that if they don't vote for her, she will not work for them. The leader claimed she was not Mahatma Gandhi, who would always remain generous. The video of her speech went viral.
What happened
Won't feel good if Muslims don't support me: Maneka
Maneka was addressing a gathering in Sultanpur when she claimed she was winning the seat. She added that if she wins without the support of Muslim voters, she wouldn't feel good. "Then when a Muslim comes to me for work, I think let it be, how does it matter. It's all give and take, isn't it," Maneka asked.
Threats
Maneka said she would win "with or without" Muslim voters
Not stopping at that, Maneka went on to say people weren't really like Mahatma Gandhi. She said she would win elections "with or without their" support. "When the election comes and this booth throws up 100 votes or 50 votes, and then you come to me for work we will see," she added. Maneka added her record at Pilibhit speaks for itself.
Twitter Post
Gandhi's words garnered attention
Union Minister #Maneka Gandhi on camera says:
— TAMANNA PANKAJ (@TamannaPankaj) April 12, 2019
“I am going to win for sure. If Muslims won’t vote for me and then come to ask for work, I will have to think, what’s the use of giving them jobs.” pic.twitter.com/bkVwyfJ2ng
Looking back
Earlier, Mayawati's message for Muslim voters invited EC's ire
Maneka's comments have stirred a new controversy and it is likely that the Election Commission will take cognizance of the same. A few days ago, BSP Chief Mayawati also delivered a special message for Muslim voters, for which EC sent her a notice. Mayawati had urged Muslim voters to only vote for SP-BSP-RLD alliance to ensure BJP was defeated. Her speech violated MCC.
Candidates
Mother Maneka and son Varun swapped seats this time
Maneka, who represented Pilibhit in Lok Sabha, six times, will contest from Sultanpur, which is currently held by her son Varun. Meanwhile, Varun will fight from Pilibhit. According to reports, BJP was unsure about Varun, so gave him a safe seat. Notably, Amethi, from where Maneka's nephew Rahul is contesting, is close to Sultanpur. Earlier, she said if the party wanted, she would campaign in Amethi too.