Seeking a second term in Sultanpur, BJP leader Maneka Gandhi on Sunday emphasised her focus on local issues and predicted a larger victory margin this time.
The former Union minister refrained from commenting on the BJP's decision to deny a poll ticket to her son, Varun Gandhi, from Pilibhit. She mentioned that Varun would soon campaign for her in Sultanpur.
In an interview with PTI,the eight-time MP stated her primary concern is the problems of her constituency, avoiding remarks on the BJP's intent to eliminate the Congress presence in Rae Bareli.
"I have no comments to make. I am concerned about problems in my own constituency and among the among the people here," Gandhi told PTI when asked about the BJP's promise to defeat the Gandhi family in Rae Bareli.
Amethi and Rae Bareli are neighbouring districts. Rahul Gandhi is contesting Rae Bareli, while Gandhi family loyalist K.L. Sharma faces Smriti Irani in Amethi.
Maneka Gandhi, who won Sultanpur in 2019 by a margin of 14,000 votes, confidently stated, "This time my victory margin will be bigger."
She also noted that while the local population appreciates the upcoming grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, it is "not an issue in the polls here."
Gandhi is contesting against the SP's Ram Bhual Nishad, with the BSP fielding Udraj Verma, an OBC candidate.
When asked if she anticipates a ministerial role if the BJP forms the government again, she replied, "It is not in my hands. It is the prerogative of the PM."
The BJP is counting on support from around two lakh Nishad (fishermen community) voters, with their leader Sanjay Nishad serving as a minister in Uttar Pradesh.
Sultanpur will go to the polls in the sixth phase on May 25.
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