Riding on Amethi work, Smriti a tough challenge to Rahul

It's 5 pm and the BJP workers have started gathering at the Alok Dhaba in Gauriganj, the district headquarters of the high-profile Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, to discuss the achievements of Union Minister Smriti Irani, who despite losing in 2014, has left no stone unturned for the area's development.

She's once again in the fray here against Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

"After losing elections no leader has worked in the way in which Didi (Irani) has worked," BJP leader Govind Singh Chauhan said. In 2014, Irani gave a tough fight to Gandhi, receiving over 3 lakh votes against the latter's 4.07 lakh votes.

Chauhan said Irani had visited Amethi for over 35 times in the last five years while Gandhi had visited the area hardly 16-17 times.

Gyan Pratap Singh, owner of the Alok Dhaba, said that Irani has personally connected with the people of Amethi.

For instance, she has personally got over 50,000 people covered under a Central government life insurance scheme, besides ensuring benefits under various other initiatives.

About 2 km from the Alok Dhaba, a five-room apartment is being readied for Irani in a two-storeyed building where she and her team will stay for over one-and-a-half months till the election process concludes.

"We are eager to host Didi," said the owner of the building, Rajesh Gupta. On the flip side, there was quite some support for Gandhi too, with many accusing the BJP of stalling the projects of the previous Congress-led government at the Centre.

BJP worker, Shyam Mishra said Irani had brought a common service centre to the area, which is helping in generating employment and providing banking as well as many other government services to the people.

Amethi, which has around 18 lakh voters, will go to the polls on May 6. The Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, which are in alliance in UP, are not contesting from here and neighbouring Rae Bareli, represented by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

The results of the seven-phased elections from April 11 to May 19 will be out on May 23.