Amethi and Rae Bareli seats hold special significance for Gandhi family. Union Minister Smriti Irani, has been fielded from Amethi, leaving Congress in dilemma. While Gandhi family is in dilemma about contesting elections from Rae Bareli and Amethi seats in Uttar Pradesh, the son-in-law of the family, Robert Vadra has made himself quite clear.
Robert Vadra has put forward his intent to contest election from Amethi wants the party to give him a Lok Sabha ticket to fight against Union Minister Smriti Irani. Now it is up to Gandhi family to decide if they would want their son in law to try his luck from Amethi. if the Gandhi family agrees, Vadra could potentially run for office in Amethi while Rahul Gandhi may contest from Rae Bareli.
However, the likelihood of the Gandhi family endorsing their son-in-law for candidacy remains uncertain. The political experts speculate that if Congress supports Robert vadra it would be like walking on the egg shells as it would give the opposition an opportunity to launch attack on congress and turn the tide in their favour owing to numerous allegations and controversies associated with Vadra.
Presently, the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh finds itself in a challenging position, with both Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi abstaining from electoral participation. Consequently, attention has turned towards Vadra as a potential candidate.
Looking at the current scenario, it can be said that Sonia Gandhi was the only face that could have saved the party. Around two months ago, Sonia Gandhi opted to step down from the Lok Sabha and move to the Upper House.
In making this decision, she cited health reasons and expressed her intention to refrain from contesting elections. It was anticipated that her decreased involvement due to health and age might lead to reduced activism. However, Sonia’s choice disrupted the party’s plans. Had she not decided to trod upon the path of Rajya Sabha membership, shifting track from Lok Sabha she would have won from Rae Bareli, thereby raising spirits of the Congress Party.
Nonetheless, today she was sworn in as a member of the Rajya Sabha. She was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan in place of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
After Sonia’s decision to join the Rajya Sabha, it was anticipated that Priyanka Gandhi would step in to look into the affairs in Rae Bareli.
Previously, Priyanka had managed both Rae Bareli and Amethi during Lok Sabha elections. However, the current strategy of the Congress party seems unclear, as no family member appears ready to take action there. Despite this, voting is scheduled for Rae Bareli in the fifth phase and for Amethi on 20th May. Nominations for these seats begin on 26th April, leaving little time. Meanwhile, BJP candidate Smriti Irani has already initiated campaigning, utilizing the favorable atmosphere for BJP.
In this scenario, Robert Vadra, Priyanka Gandhi’s husband, has gained the center stage. His supporters have been actively creating a buzz for Vadra through social media and poster campaigns for several days. Rahul has begun campaigning for Vadra through an organization called Priyanka Gandhi Sena.
Vadra, according to close sources, is fully prepared and has expressed his desire to enter politics on several occasions. This time, amidst the ongoing elections, he has come forward to stake his claim at a time when the party has yet to make any decisions. The decision, if made, would be left to the Gandhi family. However, their silence has heightened anxiety within the party. It seems unlikely that the Gandhi family will nominate Vadra from Amethi. Firstly, it would provide an opportunity for the opposition to attack, and secondly, another defeat would tarnish the family’s image. Rae Bareli is considered the only seat where there are some hopes for the Gandhi family. The recent political dynamics in Wayanad may not be favorable for Rahul. Therefore, if Rahul wins the elections from Rae Bareli, it would boost the party’s morale. However, the question remains as to who will contest from Amethi. It appears unlikely that the Gandhi family will contest from Amethi this time.
