Jaitley targets Priyanka for her 'arrogance'

"Fernandes had a challenging task of changing Mumbai's, (then Bombay) mindset. His initial slogan was - 'Patil can be defeated'. This was written on the walls and stickers pasted outside each building apartment/jhoparpatti.

"When questioned about the prospects of his being defeated, Patil, with Mrs Vadra's style of smugness, announced -Only God can defeat me. George Fernandes immediately retorted - God does not vote, only you do. Only you can defeat Patil."

Jaitley recalled the result of that poll in which Patil was defeated and George entered Parliament for the first time.

He said, "Mrs Vadra's query on Smriti Irani questioning her existence reminds me of the Patil-George confrontation."

Priyanka, daughter of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, during a road show in Amethi on May 4 was asked about Irani hitting back, but before the reporter could complete the question, she asked, "Who"? When the reporter repeated, "Smriti Irani," she said grinning, "Oh". She was campaigning for her brother Rahul.

Jaitley who is trying to enter Lok Sabha for the first time contesting from Amritsar constituency, said Amethi challenge has become a stiff one because of a strong anti- incumbency factor.

"Coupled with extensive campaigning done by Smriti Irani, a strong anti incumbency against Congress and the Gandhis for non-development of Amethi and the desire to puncture the arrogance of those who feel that they own Amethi, have all a potential of making Amethi challenge into a stiff one," he claimed.

Jaitley hoped that "If Amethi goes the Smriti Irani way it will be good for Amethi and may be in the long run good news for the Congress too.