Thanking the party brass for reposing faith in him, Sharma said, “Amethi and Rae Bareli have been my ‘karmbhoomi’ and this is a momentous opportunity for me to serve the people of Amethi.”
Priyanka Gandhi took out time from attending Rahul Gandhi’s filing of nomination in Rae Bareli to join Sharma’s roadshow in Amethi.“I am here for Kishori Lal ji… we have known him for over 35-40 years now… I am here to urge you all to shower your love on him and vote for him,” Priyanka said.
He is the second non-Gandhi to be fielded by Congress from Amethi since 1980. Captain Satish Sharma represented the seat in 1991 (bypoll) and in 1996.
Hailing from Ludhiyana in Amethi’s Shivajinagar area, Sharma was deeply influenced by former PM Rajiv Gandhi. It is said that he came to Amethi with Rajiv Gandhi in 1983 when he was in his early 20s.
A graduate from Panjab University, he was quick to win Rajiv’s confidence. After Rajiv’s demise, he worked with Satish Sharma, and when Sonia Gandhi made her political debut in 1999, he became associated with her.
“Sonia was aware of her husband’s faith in Kishori Lal, who never let her down, especially after Rajiv’s death in 1991,” recalled Kalyan Singh Gandhi, a contemporary of Sharma. In due course, he was made in-charge of both Rae Bareli and Amethi seats because of his ‘people management’ and ‘micro-planning’ skills.
Meanwhile, Sharma’s nomination from Amethi evoked mixed reactions from people. “We were hoping for Rahul Gandhi. KL Sharma may be important, but he is not family,” said SK Barnwal, owner of a local jewellery store.
“Guests are welcome. We will ensure good hospitality to them, but it is an indication that the family (Gandhis) has already accepted defeat,” Irani said in Amethi.