'Desi dewar' vs 'videshi bhabhi' in Rae Bareli

Lucknow, Apr 19: BJP candidate against AICC president Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli bypoll Vinay Katiyar today said on one hand it will be an ideological battle between UPA and NDA, while on the other it will be a fight between a 'desi dewar and videshi bhabhi'.

Earlier reluctant to contest the bypoll, Mr Katiyar said since he had accepted the party's decision, all effort will be made to ensure the defeat of the high-profile Congress leader at her home turf.

''It will be an ideological fight between the UPA and NDA at Rae Bareli with both groups highlighting own agendas,'' he said adding.

''It will also be a fight between 'desi' and 'vedeshi' politicians.'' Talking to reporters here, the Rajya Sabha member said Ms Sushma Swaraj would be the BJP poll manager at Rae Bareli and would take charge soon.

Mr Katiyar, who will file his nomination papers tomorrow for the May 8 bypoll, said former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh and other senior leaders would accompany him to Rae Bareli.

''Several senior BJP leaders, including party president Rajnath Singh, will personally camp in Rae Bareli and address public meetings in all the five assembly segements of the constituency,'' he added.

The former Bajrang Dal president claimed efforts were being made to bring 'sadhus' and saints for electioneering at Rae Bareli.

Commenting on the candidature by expelled BJP leader Uma Bharti against him in Rae Bareli, Mr Katiyar said, ''Uma is my younger sister and I do not think there is anything to worry.'' Ms Bharti had fielded Prabha Singh Lodh in the by-election.

UNI

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