Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Maneka Gandhi had a minor scuffle with her opponent as polling began in her constituency on Sunday morning. Maneka Gandhi is a sitting MP from Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh but is contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Sultanpur.
She had a scuffle with her rival candidate Sonu Singh this morning. Maneka Gandhi has alleged that Sonu Singh's supporters were "threatening" voters.
News agency ANI has tweeted a video of the scuffle. In it one can see Maneka Gandhi and Sonu Singh arguing about the behavior of the latter's supporters.
#WATCH: Minor argument between Union Minister and BJP's candidate from Sultanpur Maneka Gandhi and Mahagathbandhan candidate Sonu Singh after Gandhi alleged that Singh's supporters were threatening voters. #LokSabhaElections #Phase6 pic.twitter.com/l2Pn1yCRVO
ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 12, 2019
In the video Maneka Gandhi is heard saying "Yahan dabangai nahi chalegi" (Hooliganism will not work here) to Sonu Singh. Following this Singh dismisses her charges and asks what wrong has he done.
Soon after Sonu Singh's supporters started raising slogans in his support. However, the situation was deescalated as both sides walked away.
Voting is on for 59 Lok Sabha seats that are spread across six states and one Union territory. Maneka Gandhi is among the key candidates whose fate will be decided today.
A total of 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh are going to poll today.
Other key candidates in Phase 6 include Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, Gautam Gambhir, Harsh Vardhan, Pragya Thakur, Atishi and Sheila Dikshit.
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