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.