New Delhi, April 22: A heated war of words has broke out between Congress' UP general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Union Minister Smriti Irani. The latter, who is also the BJP candidate from Uttar Pradesh's Amethi -- a long-held bastion of the Nehru-Gandhi family -- stoked a row after she distributed shoes among voters in the constituency.

Dubbing Irani as an "outsider", Priyanka on Monday accused her of using the "shoe handouts" as a form of poll drama to insult her brother and sitting MP from the seat, Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi's Nomination Papers from Amethi Lok Sabha Constituency Accepted by EC.

Interacting with the voters in this key parliamentary constituency, the youngest Gandhi scion said the people of Amethi and Rae Bareli have self-respect and they do not beg from anyone.

"...if anyone has to beg, it is them (BJP), who will beg for your votes," a visibly agitated Priyanka told the voters in the presence of reporters at a "nukkad sabha".

"She (Irani) thinks she can insult Rahul Gandhi by doing this," Priyanka said, adding that the Union minister was in fact insulting the people of Amethi.

"The people of Amethi are very sensible. You all know who was going to open a food park in Amethi and the fact that it has not been opened till now. The food park would have benefitted five lakh farmers in Amethi and Rae Bareli," she said.

Watch Video of Priyanka Gandhi Uncharesterically Losing Her Cool:

Irani struck back at Priyanka, accusing her of using theatrics to hold on to the voters of Amethi. "I have been an actor, but Priyanka ji is resorting to drama these days. As far as the distribution of shoes is concerned, why doesn't she reached out to the poor citizens and enquire whether they already had footwear," she said.

Union Textiles Minister Irani had lost against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Five years later, she is again hoping to breach the Gandhi family bastion.

(With PTI inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 22, 2019 06:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).