Daijiworld Media Network
Amethi, Apr 11: In a setback for BJP's Amethi candidate Smriti Irani, her close aide on Thursday April 11 joined the Congress party.
Ravi Dutt Mishra, known as Smriti Irani's 'Man Friday', in whose house she used to stay during her trips to Amethi, joined the Congress a day after party president Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from here. Congress in-charge of east UP affairs is also in Amethi, and in a picture shared online, is seen welcoming Mishra.
According to ANI news, Mishra had played a key role in bringing Smriti Irani to Amethi.
He was also a minister in the previous state government of the Samajwadi Party.
The Smriti Irani-Rahul Gandhi face-off in Amethi is one of the most interesting battles this elections. Apart from Amethi, Gandhi is also contesting from Wayanad in Kerala, a move that Irani and the BJP criticised as being prompted out of Gandhi's 'fear of losing Amethi'.
Nevertheless, Amethi has been a stronghold of the Congress, with Rahul Gandhi winning against Smriti Irani in 2014.
Amethi will go to polls on May 6 in the sixth phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. The votes will be counted on May 23.