The BJP has again targeted Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's husband Robert Vadra
Hours after Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hit out at allegations against her husband Robert Vadra, the BJP responded with a sharper attack that referenced a two-year-old controversy over his comments on "mango people."
"Those in public life are often hurt with charges, may we ask Priyanka Gandhi where were the emotions when Vadra talked about the mango people?" the BJP's Nirmala Sitaraman said today.
"Could she not give good counsel to her husband about what he said, that these mango people were the people of the country, who are asking questions?" she said, referring to Mr Vadra's much-debate Facebook post two years ago - "Mango people in banana republic".
Mr Vadra's words seemed to deride anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal, who had accused him of making a fortune through illegal land deals in Congress-ruled Haryana.
Earlier today, Priyanka Vadra spoke on the attacks on her husband for the first time, while campaigning in Uttar Pradesh. "My family is being humiliated, there are things that are said about my husband. The more they humiliate us, the stronger we become. I am saddened by the attacks, but I have learnt from Indira Gandhi that the truth becomes courage," she said.
Mr Vadra, 45, has come under daily attack from the BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who has dared Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to explain the leap in his fortunes during Congress' rule.
Taking a cue from Priyanka, several Congress leaders came out in Mr Vadra's defence.
Ms Sitaraman said, "In public life there can be lots of conflicts between facts and emotion. Emphasis has to be on facts, the facts allege corruption. When for the first time came out the entire union cabinet ministers came out to defend this private person, they we're out to prove their loyalty."