LUCKNOW: In a noticeable counter attack to Congress president Rahul Gandhi ’s frequent temple visit, BJP on Sunday sent around 200 senior citizens of Amethi on a four-day pilgrimage to Haridwar and Rishikesh. Worth mention here Ameth is Gandhi’s parliamentary constituency,

Interestingly the pilgrimage, named ‘Amethi Ganga Darshan Yatra’ was conducted by BJP Rajya Sabha MP and Union information minister Smriti Irani.

Smriti Irani’s representative Vijay Gupta flagged off five saffron-coloured AC buses to ferry around 200 senior citizens on pilgrimage. All buses run for the five assembly constituencies of Amethi.

 Following Pilgrimage week ahead of Smriti Irani  Amethi - visit, BJP’s media in charge, Govind Chauhan told TOI that the pilgrimage is scheduled for a period of four days. He added this is fully sponsored by BJP and the yatris will be offered free food, lodging and medical facilities.

Chauhan informed that at least 40 pilgrims were sent from each of the five assembly constituencies — Amethi, Tiloi, Salon, Gauriganj and Jagdishpur.

The four-day-pilgrimage comes just about a week ahead of Irani’s programmed two-day visit to Amethi on April 13 and 14.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi is also likely to be on a two-day visit to Amethi on April 16 and 17.

Political experts said that Rahul’s temple visits have been upsetting BJP. During recently concluded Gujarat elections, Rahul had visited 25 temples in the state. He is also frequently visiting temples in poll-bound Karnataka, causing unease to the saffron party.