LUCKNOW: Voters in no other Lok Sabha seat of India have showered love on Congress and the Gandhi family as much as Rae Bareli.
In fact, Congress has tasted victory on this seat in 16 out of 19 elections held since independence.
But it wasn’t for this love alone that the grand old party fielded Rahul Gandhi on the seat this election instead of Amethi as was the demand from the cadre.
Probable reasons behind the decision remained a talking point among party workers while conclusions and conjectures continued to do several rounds on Friday.
Insiders believed that through its decision on Amethi and Rae Bareli, Congress has prevented the ‘Rahul versus Modi’ narrative of 2024 Lok Sabha from getting downsized by giving no room to the ‘Rahul versus Smriti’ contest in Amethi.
It has also given the message that loyalty to the party is lauded with KL Sharma as the case in point. Congress workers were heard saying, “Even a committed Congress worker is enough to show arrogance its place.”
Workers also expressed happiness over the fact that Priyanka Gandhi would be able to focus on campaign.
Sources confided that Priyanka was unwilling to take the poll plunge this time as she wanted to focus on canvassing for the party in this crucial election.
On Friday, she participated in a roadshow for KL Sharma, joined brother Rahul Gandhi in Rae Bareli and then moved to Fatehpur Kheri to hold a roadshow for candidate Ram Nath Sikarwar. Those in team PGV say that she is participating in 2-3 programmes every day. Another theory doing rounds was that the move has left Congress with enough room to bring Priyanka in the Lok Sabha assuming that Rahul wins from both Wayanad and Rae Bareli.
“When he will have to make a choice, he may retain Wayanad and the space would be filled by Priyanka here,” remarked a senior functionary. The contradictory views maintained that “Rae Bareli was safer than Amethi” and that “even if KL Sharma loses, it will not be a big deal.” Some more views doing rounds included: “KL Sharma knows Amethi like the back of his hand and that edge may make it tough for the BJP.”
In fact, Congress has tasted victory on this seat in 16 out of 19 elections held since independence.
But it wasn’t for this love alone that the grand old party fielded Rahul Gandhi on the seat this election instead of Amethi as was the demand from the cadre.
Probable reasons behind the decision remained a talking point among party workers while conclusions and conjectures continued to do several rounds on Friday.
Insiders believed that through its decision on Amethi and Rae Bareli, Congress has prevented the ‘Rahul versus Modi’ narrative of 2024 Lok Sabha from getting downsized by giving no room to the ‘Rahul versus Smriti’ contest in Amethi.
It has also given the message that loyalty to the party is lauded with KL Sharma as the case in point. Congress workers were heard saying, “Even a committed Congress worker is enough to show arrogance its place.”
Workers also expressed happiness over the fact that Priyanka Gandhi would be able to focus on campaign.
Sources confided that Priyanka was unwilling to take the poll plunge this time as she wanted to focus on canvassing for the party in this crucial election.
On Friday, she participated in a roadshow for KL Sharma, joined brother Rahul Gandhi in Rae Bareli and then moved to Fatehpur Kheri to hold a roadshow for candidate Ram Nath Sikarwar. Those in team PGV say that she is participating in 2-3 programmes every day. Another theory doing rounds was that the move has left Congress with enough room to bring Priyanka in the Lok Sabha assuming that Rahul wins from both Wayanad and Rae Bareli.
“When he will have to make a choice, he may retain Wayanad and the space would be filled by Priyanka here,” remarked a senior functionary. The contradictory views maintained that “Rae Bareli was safer than Amethi” and that “even if KL Sharma loses, it will not be a big deal.” Some more views doing rounds included: “KL Sharma knows Amethi like the back of his hand and that edge may make it tough for the BJP.”
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Lok Sabha elections: Why Rahul Gandhi opted for Rae Bareli and not Amethi
Rahul Gandhi strategically opts for Rae Bareli over Amethi to avoid a tough battle, focusing on strengthening Congress’s performance and leveraging the party’s historical support in the constituency. The decision reflects intricate political calculations and alliance strategies for electoral success.
Rahul Gandhi strategically opts for Rae Bareli over Amethi to avoid a tough battle, focusing on strengthening Congress’s performance and leveraging the party’s historical support in the constituency. The decision reflects intricate political calculations and alliance strategies for electoral success.