'Mataji' Maneka & Smriti 'Didi' — 2 key BJP contenders & 2 contrasting campaigns in Uttar Pradesh

MP from Amethi Smriti Irani addressing the crowd in Amethi | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Uttar Pradesh: Sultanpur’s ‘Mataji’ Maneka Gandhi and Amethi’s ‘Didi’ Smriti Irani are two key contenders in this election from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2019, Gandhi won in Sultanpur by just 14,000 votes, and Irani defeated Congress’ Rahul Gandhi in Amethi by 55,000 votes.

In Amethi, Irani often takes jibes at the Congress and Rahul Gandhi while talking about her and the BJP’s work. But, Gandhi’s speeches in Sultanpur are conspicuously silent on the Gandhi family, religion, or Ram Mandir.

In a gathering at Amethi’s Mau Bazar Thursday, Irani asks the assembled people who all got free COVID-19 vaccines. Next, she asks who gave them the vaccines. “Modiji,” the crowd responds.

Questioning whether people saw any Congress leader in the villages during the pandemic, she says, “This is why it’s important to give our vote to the BJP, which protected us during a calamity.”

Claiming Rahul Gandhi “said Wayanad is his family”, she also asks the crowd, “How many people here have changed their families?”

Alleging that a Congress leader has said Rahul Gandhi fights from Wayanad because its people are more “loyal”, she says, “You supported an absent leader for 15 years, and they still question your loyalty.”

From Ram Mandir to Sandeshkhali, everything is fair game to Irani. She frequently takes digs at Rahul Gandhi for wishing people on Ram Navami after he skipped the Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya. However, she also says she works for people irrespective of caste and religion while seeking votes.

At Gandhi’s public addresses, local BJP leaders often ask, “She is your Mataji, isn’t she?” The question is met with resounding approval.

Gandhi’s speeches, usually, are about her work. She mentions the international sports training complex, the radio station, transformers, roads, and the trains connecting Sultanpur with Lucknow and Mumbai.

“When you came to me with your problems, I never asked you your religion or caste or faith,” Gandhi tells people, asking them to do the same when they vote next month. “Vote for the person and the party who worked for you… Vote for your own benefit.”