Vote for me, you will need me once elections are over: Maneka Gandhi to Muslims

Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

In a controversial remark, Union minister Maneka Gandhi told Muslims to vote for her as they will need her once the Lok Sabha elections are over.

"We are not Mahatma Gandhi's children that we keep giving and not get anything in return," she said in Muslim-dominated Turabkhani area on Thursday.

Gandhi, the BJP candidate from Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency, claimed she is all set to win and told the Muslim audience that "you might need me tomorrow".

The Congress reacted strongly with spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala saying she is trying to divide people on the basis of caste and community.

"I am winning. I am winning because of the help and love of the people," Maneka Gandhi said at the meeting in Sultanpur, a constituency earlier held by her son Varun Gandhi.

"But if my victory is without the Muslims, I will not feel very good," she said, adding she will be left with a bitter feeling. "If Muslims come for some work after this, I will think why bother, what difference will it make."

Suggesting that it was matter of give and take, she added, "We are not Mahatma Gandhi's children to keep giving without getting anything in return."

The minister asked them to check with the people in Pilibhit, her earlier constituency.

"If there is even one person who says there had been something wrong on my part, don't vote for me," she said.