’I won’t keep giving you without anything in return’

Union Minister Maneka Gandhi on Friday kicked off a major controversy when she told Muslims in Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh to vote for her if they wanted jobs. Addressing an election rally in Turab Khani village, she said that she would not give jobs to Muslims if they did not vote for her. She also said that she would not like it if she won without the support of Muslims. My feelings get hurt. If Muslims then come to me asking for work, then I will think let it be, how does it matter? Dil khatta ho jayega. After all, a job is a deal, she said, making it clear that Muslims should not expect jobs if they do not vote for her. Gandhi further said that Muslim voters should understand that it was a give and take relation. It is not that I will keep on giving without getting your support in return in elections. We are not children of Mahatma Gandhi, she said. She further said, I have already won the elections, but you will need me. This is your chance to lay the foundation. When the election comes and this booth throws up 100 votes or 50 votes, and then you come to me for work we will see...I don't see any divide, I see only pain, sadness and love. So it is up to you... She added, You can ask anyone in Pilibhit about the kind of work I did. If you feel I haven't done enough, you can decide not to vote for me. SC seeks details of electoral bondsThe Supreme Court on Friday directed all political parties to provide details of donations received in electoral bonds and the identity of the donors to the Election Commission in a sealed cover by May 30, in an attempt to bring transparency around anonymous poll funding. Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates