Amethi one of the most backward constituencies: Arun Jaitley

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley today said that the relationship of Rahul Gandhi with Amethi is "nominal" and it remains one of the most backward constituencies in the country.

"Despite having been a family stronghold for decades, the relationship of Rahul Gandhi with Amethi is nominal and it remains one of the most backward constituencies," Jaitley said in his blog. Expressing his views about Amethi, he said, "Infrastructure in Amethi is inadequate. It is a constituency where internal roads are not the object of envy. Many industrial units are sick. It is a constituency of people living in inadequate houses."

Jaitley said that his party is determined to put up a fight in Amethi. "The tragedy of Amethi is that the voters were never presented with an alternative option. The BJP is determined to put up a fight for Amethi." On BJP's nominee from Amethi Smriti Irani, he said, "Smriti Irani is a formidable candidate. Whenever her vehicle reaches any village it is greeted with loud cheers for her, the BJP and Modi."

Saying that there was a strong anti-incumbency against sitting MP Rahul Gandhi, the BJP leader said that, "Tokenism is never a substitute for substantive performance in a constituency. Family ties are not the alternative to improvement in the quality of life of the electorate." However, he did not deny that Aam Aadmi Party can divide the votes.

"We must convince the electorate that a vote for AAP will only divide the anti-incumbency. Let Amethi be an electoral battle right till the last vote is cast," he said.