Smriti Irani locks horn with Priyanka Gandhi's PA as Amethi votes

, May 7: As Amethi goes to poll, a spat erupted between the BJP candidate,

and Congress candidate

's sister

's Personal Assistant.

Smriti complained that Priyanka secretary had entered a polling station without clearance from the Election Commission.

Priyanka's secretary, Preeti Sahay, has reportedly been asked to leave Amethi by election officials. Confirmation is awaited on this matter though.

Preeti was today asked to leave Amethi after BJP filed a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that she was trying to influence voters in the constituency.

Her presence was against the rules, District Electoral Officer Jagat Raj Tripathi said. Smriti and Preeti had entered in a verbal duel today as the former objected to her presence at one of the booths in Jagdishpur area here.

Following the incident, BJP filed a complaint with the Election Commission on the presence of Sahay at a polling booth at Thori village in Jagdishpur area here, alleging that she was trying to influence the voters.

"When Irani reached booth number 210 and 211 at Thori village in Jagdishpur village, she saw Sahay at the booth. Irani asked her for the pass which she could not produce. Sahay being an outsider should not have entered the booth," Ashok Patel, PRO of Irani told reporters.

The District Electoral Officer said, "We have received a complaint from Irani. Prima facie we found that both the persons were wrong in their own places. While Sahay should not have been inside the booth, Irani also misbehaved inside the booth. Sahay has been asked to leave the constituency."

Meanwhile, the District Magistrate of Amethi has informed the Election Commission in Delhi that Sahay has agreed to leave the constituency.

Earlier on Wednesday, Rahul complained to the Election Commission after spotting a lotus, the BJP's poll symbol, sketched inside a polling booth in Amethi, which he has represented in parliament since 2004.

Smriti is competing against Rahul for the Amethi seat in Uttar Pradesh for the national elections 2014.

<center><iframe width="100%" height="417" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xniTVV0iRtY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>

With PTI inputs

OneIndia News