Rahul's works draw praise from estranged cousin Varun

In a rare show of bonhomie between estranged cousins, BJP's Varun Gandhi praised Rahul Gandhi for his efforts towards empowerment of women in Amethi, reacting to which the Congress vice president said he was happy to receive the appreciation.

Addressing a group of teachers in Sultanpur last night, the BJP candidate from the Lok Sabha seat said Rahul is doing good work through his self-help groups for ameliorating the status of women in his parliamentary constituency Amethi and added that he would like to do the same in the district.

Asked to respond to Varun's remarks, Rahul, who was in Rae Bareli to accompany his mother Sonia Gandhi who filed her nomination papers, said "Varun sahi kah rahe hain" (What Varun is saying is right).

"We have been working continuously in Amethi according to a strategy... We have laid foundation of education hub.. done work for farmers .... Got a food park... What Varun is saying is right," he said.

"I am very happy that others are appreciating the work being done in Amethi. (We are) doing (work) as per a strategy... Connecting farmers to the world. (We) will continue to work in the field of agriculture, education," Rahul said.

On the impact BJP candidate Smriti Irani could have in the contest to Amethi Lok Sabha seat, Rahul said "it is for the people of Amethi to respond".