Smriti Irani says people no longer have faith in intent of Congress

Minister for women and child development Smriti Irani on Thursday took on Congress leader and party UP general secretary Priyanka Gandhi over her promise to reserve 40% of the tickets in the state election for women, saying such poll promises limit the aspirations and capabilities of women.

The minister also revealed that she is writing a book, but it is not on politics and will not have the "ladka or ladki", in an apparent reference to the Gandhis.

"When we talk about woman leaders, why do we expect them to work for women alone. When I take up a constitutional post, I have to work for everyone," she said, adding that Congress allies and people in that party prevented the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament.

"The Congress in UP is actually saying 60% tickets will not be given to women," she said. People no longer have any faith in the Congress intent, she added.

Irani said when the PM started the movement for toilets, it was not for a few people alone. "Women didn't even expect a politician to understand. Toilets are called izzat ghars in UP. There are kaccha houses with pakka toilets," she said.