Jhansi: Firebrand BJP leader Uma Bharti has trained her guns on the Gandhi siblings, claiming that Priyanka's high-decibel entry onto the poll scene is a fresh attempt by Congress to gain lost ground caused by her brother Rahul's failure.
Bharti, who was earlier this month in a spot after Congress released a video clip in which she purportedly described Narendra Modi as an agent of destruction, also attacked the ruling party for bringing in "one more Gandhi".
"Rahul Gandhi has failed, so now Congress has put forward Priyanka Gandhi. In fact, Priyanka's remarks are politically motivated, which is an indication that Rahul is failing," the 54-year-old Bharti, who is contesting from Jhansi, told PTI.
The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister, further said, "So they (Congress) have brought one more Gandhi out..."
The 42-year-old Priyanka has been targeting Modi at meetings and taking potshots at BJP leaders, comparing them with "baukhlaye huye choohe" (panic-stricken rats).
Reacting to her remarks, Bharti said, "Priyanka has become so irrational that she is saying anything. So one has to reply to her."
Bharti, known for her outspoken nature, said she would not like to comment further on Priyanka as she does not hold any political status.
On the video clip episode, Bharti said it was blown out of proportion and Congress tried to gain political momentum out of it.
BJP itself this week released a video CD targeting Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Sonia Gandhi and husband of Priyanka Gandhi, over his alleged land deals.
On Jhansi, Bharti said she wants to develop it as an IT hub in the region.
"I want to develop Jhansi as a hub of Information Technology (IT). Ten years ago, I had invited N R Narayana Murthy to Madhya Pradesh to open an IT hub. Here also I will invite a big company to open such a hub in the Jhansi region.
"I think the Jhansi-Orcha route is suitable for developing an IT hub. It is on the national highway and Jhansi is also a big junction of railways. We also need air connectivity, so opening an airport here is also on my list," she said.
Bharti also said that farmers in the region are facing huge problems due to inclement weather in February-March and she will try to work towards getting a crop insurance scheme.
She alleged that Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) are responsible for the poor state of affairs in Jhansi.
"I think 50 per cent of the effort has to come from the central government, but proper law-and-order situation, which is important for the growth of commerce in the region, has to come from the state government and we have to work towards making that happen," Bharti added.
