Bengaluru/UNI: Union Minister Smriti Irani criticised the Congress party's manifesto, particularly alleging they plan to restore Article 370 if they come to power.

"They (Congress) have released their manifesto. And it is written in the manifesto that we will fully restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir but in hushed words they say that if they get power then they will restore Article 370 which we (NDA government) had abrogated. PM Modi says India is one from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, but Rahul Gandhi says no," she said.

Smriti also alleged that despite the government banning the People’s Front of India (PFI) under the UAPA Act, Rahul Gandhi is accepting support from the organisation.

"This is the condition of Congress now that they have to take support from terrorist organisations to win elections," she said.

The minister, who is currently attending rallies in parts of south India ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, was speaking at an interactive meeting with businessmen in the city late Friday evening.

Highlighting a perceived contradiction in the behavior of Left members regarding Rahul Gandhi's nomination from Wayanad parliamentary constituency, Smriti alleged that while the Left expresses dissatisfaction with him contesting from the south, they appear supportive of him in Delhi.

"Some issues are going on in Wayanad with (Congress leader) Rahul Gandhi’s recent nomination. The Left is unhappy with him contesting from the south and has questioned as to why he is not contesting from Uttar Pradesh.

"However, when the same Left members go to Delhi they are seen hugging him. It has come to this now, hugging in Delhi, begging in Kerala and thugging in Karnataka," she said adding that all these should not be encouraged and urged voters to support the BJP.

In her address to women at the late evening gathering, Smriti emphasised the importance of women's engagement in serious political issues rather than being preoccupied with entertainment like daily soap operas.

She also urged women to prioritise political awareness and participation, suggesting that only those who take politics seriously can progress socially and politically.