Rajeev Rai counters AK Sharma’s remark on “outsiders vs locals”, says BJP’s own ex-MPs and MLAs should answer

New Delhi/Mau (Ishan Samvad),A fresh political debate has begun in Uttar Pradesh after cabinet minister A.K. Sharma questioned the selection of “outsider candidates.” Responding to his remarks, Ghosi MP Rajeev Rai said that the real reply should come from BJP’s own former MPs and MLAs who were elected from Mau and Ghosi constituencies.

Rai said that the people always elect those representatives who stay among them and stand with them in moments of joy and sorrow. According to him, the public is aware and does not get misled by such statements.

He questioned, “Were Ram Vilas Chouhan, Dara Chouhan and Harinarayan Rajbhar local candidates? If not, why did BJP give them tickets?” He also took a jibe at A.K. Sharma asking how many elections he himself has contested so far.

Commenting on Azamgarh, Rajeev Rai said that the people there are highly influenced by the works of late Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and MP Dharmendra Yadav, and therefore BJP will find it very difficult to win there.

He alleged that instead of focusing on real development, the minister is trying to confuse the public with irrelevant statements. The issue has reportedly created discomfort even within BJP ranks.