In a big setback for Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, the Election Commission has issued a show-cause notice for her remark during a poll speech in Sultanpur on Thursday.
Gandhi had said that her win from Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency is certain “with or without” the support of Muslims and the community should realise it since they will need to get their work done once the BJP is in power.
“I am winning for sure but if I win without the support of Muslims then I would feel really bad and when Muslims come to me for work then I feel there is no point of helping them as after all giving employment is a give-and-take and it is not that we are like Mahatma Gandhi as we continue to help them but don’t win in the elections. Spread this message everywhere,” she had said in the rally.
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“The EC has taken cognisance of the matter. District Magistrate, Sultanpur, has issued a show-cause notice to her and a report has been sent to the EC,” BR Tiwari, Additional Chief Electoral Officer was quoted by ANI.
On the other hand, Maneka Gandhi said that she is quoted out of context.
“I had called a meeting of our minority cell. If you read my complete speech, the channel is running that one sentence out of context,” she said.
Maneka is contesting from Sultanpur, and her son Varun Gandhi is contesting from Pilibhit.
The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held in all seven phases which started on April 11. The counting of votes will be held on May 23.
(With ANI inputs)