Bofors comes out whenever we do: Rahul at Amethi

Rahul Gandhi drowned the ruckus over Bofors in the clamour for bijli-sadak-pani in Amethi as he set off on the first leg of his election cam...

Rahul Gandhi drowned the ruckus over Bofors in the clamour for bijli-sadak-pani in Amethi as he set off on the first leg of his election campaign. He said the issue was being raked up for political mileage and was a conspiracy against the Gandhis.

‘‘The Bofors guns come out whenever we (Gandhis) come out of our home… Now, I have stepped out in the electoral field, some people have started shouting Bofors,’’ said Rahul.

‘‘The issue is now a closed chapter after the court has absolved former premier Rajiv Gandhi of all charges but some people are bent upon making it an election issue to gain political capital which is quite unfair…Yeh (the raking up of the issue) political hai. Athara saal se kya sazish hai, aap batayiye, hamen toh nahin maloom (What is this conspiracy over 18 years? You tell us, we don’t know).’’

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Instead, Rahul chose to tell his electorate about the lack of basic amenities and deteriorating law and order under the Mulayam Singh Yadav government. Gently reminding them, of course, of how his father used to do come to them to listen to their grievances.

Dressed in his trademark white kurta and pyjamas, Rahul moved through Mehmanpur, Satanpurwa, Fettepur, Ahurwan, Panhauna and Jay Nagara villages in Amethi, addressing small gatherings all the way. ‘‘The state government should pay immediate attention to the law and order situation,’’ he told villagers.

Priyanka joined her brother late this evening and will campaign with him in the constituency on Saturday. The duo will leave for Rae Bareli to campaign for Sonia Gandhi. Questioned on the allegations on Bofors, she said: “Let them (our detractors) raise the issue and harp on it.”