Smriti Irani files nomination from Amethi

Union minister Smriti Irani filed her nomination papers from Amethi Lok Sabha seat on Thursday, setting the stage for what is certain to be a fierce electoral battle with Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

Smriti, who performed a 'puja' earlier, also held a roadshow in Amethi, in which Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior BJP leaders were also present.

A large number of BJP workers, including women, clad in 'bhagwa' (saffron) sarees, joined the roadshow, which passed through different localities in the town.

Speaking to the reporters later, Smriti once again took a dig at Rahul, saying that the latter had not taken any interest in the development of Amethi.

She said that Narendra Modi would again become prime minister of the country. ''I am certain that the people of the country will give prime minister Narendra Modi another chance,'' she said.

She also exuded confidence that she would emerge victorious in the Nehru-Gandhi bastion of Amethi this time.

Smriti had lost by over one lakh votes when she contested against Rahul in the same seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. She has, however, been a regular visitor to the constituency since then.

Rahul had filed his nomination papers from Amethi on Wednesday amid much fanfare.