Smriti Irani visits Amethi, Rahul Gandhi challenges her to revive food park project

by news
•
May 12, 2015

New Delhi: In a face-off between Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Irani and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, the former raised the issue of food park and lack of development in latter’s constituency Amethi.

Smriti accused Rahul of lobbying for corporates and questioned his absence from the constituency.

Smriti said, “Rahul taking up food park issue to lobby for corporates. Rahul has been missing all this while, where has been been? Why hasn’t Rahul developed Amethi all this while?”

Rahul has, in turn, challenged Smriti to revive the project in Amethi as he had accused the Narendra Modi government of playing revenge politics.

Rahul said, “I hope Smriti Irani ensures Amethi’s food park is set up.”

The issue also rocked the Lok Sabha where unruly scenes were witnessed on Tuesday. The opposition created ruckus on the floor of the House after Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal made a statement on the food park issue. She claimed that the project was delayed by the previous Congress-led government.

Harsimrat claimed that the initial sanction was provided in September 2010 and repeated extensions were provided to the firm involved in the construction with the latest extension being given on March 2014.

Harsimrat said, “Food park project was delayed for many years by the Congress government. Initial sanction for the project was given in September 2010. The firm involved in project was given repeated extensions even till 2014.”

Even Home Minister Rajnath Singh had to step-in to pacify the opposition. Singh said, “All details on the food park project were delivered to Rahul Gandhi. I don’t see the need for ruckus when the minister is clarifying. I had asked Food Processing Minister for the details on the issue.”

Situation turned worse as senior Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of misusing its power. Kharge said, “The BJP government should not abuse its power. Injustice cannot be tolerated. We want a clarification. Why are our adjournment motions not admitted. This is unfair.”