Kumar Vishwas mocks Rahul's visits to Dalit homes, then apes him

Stepping up his campaign against Rahul Gandhi in his home turf, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas on Monday visited a Dalit home where the Congress vice president had spent a night and claimed nothing has changed for the family.

Vishwas, a poet-turned politician, claimed the family of Sunita in Jawaharpur village in Amethi was still leading a "miserable" life, a day after he had mocked the Gandhi scion for spending nights at Dalit homes, calling it just "symbolism". He also had food at the home.

AAP's Kumar Vishwas targets Rahul: Sleeping in Dalit homes won't change things

Rahul stayed overnight at the same home on January 26, 2008 and had food there.

Vishwas claimed that Sunita's fortunes had not changed despite the Congress leader's visit. He spoke to Sunita about her problems and directed party workers to ensure that she got a roof over her head.

"We have no permanent residence till this date. Our children are like orphans now. No proper food or education is available," Sunita told reporters.

Later, while talking to people, Vishwas said Rs 55,000 crore was reportedly spent on Amethi's development, which was not visible. "There is no electricity…there is no water in tubewells, no development in villages...people should ask Rahul," he said.

Taking a dig at Rahul for staying in Dalit houses and eating with them, Vishwas had said that showing such "symbolism" would not help as the job of a member of Parliament was to worry whether Dalits in the area represented by him have had their food even before eating his own.

"Sleeping in Dalit houses under SPG security or eating with Dalits won't help or change things. That is not the job of an MP. His job is to worry if all Dalits have eaten food even before he has his own...This fight is not easy. I have come here to stay. I will not go back till you put your stamp on me," he said at a rally in Amethi on Sunday.

"I will not go to a Dalit's house and have dinner while simultaneously alerting TV channels to cover it," he added.

Image: Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas addresses a rally in Amethi on Sunday

Photograph: Sandeep Pal