Union Minister Smriti Irani is all set to begin her four-day visit to Amethi today, coinciding with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi”s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra”s arrival in his erstwhile parliamentary constituency, amid speculation of a renewed contest for the seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April-May.
While Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, is taking the Nyay Yatra to Amethi, Irani will be there for her Jan Samvad Vikas Yatra, marking a rare convergence of political heavyweights in the electoral battleground that was once synonymous with the Gandhi family”s dominance.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Smriti Irani defeated Rahul Gandhi, ending his 15-year reign in Amethi. Since then, both leaders have seldom found themselves in Amethi simultaneously, with the last instance in February 2022 during separate campaign events leading up to the UP assembly elections.
Irani”s four-day visit will culminate in a housewarming ceremony on February 22, fulfilling a promise she made to the electorate during her election campaign. Through this event, Irani aims to subtly reaffirm her commitment to the people and solicit another chance to serve them.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi will enter Amethi from Pratapgarh with a roadshow and a public meeting before continuing his journey to Rae Bareli, the sole Lok Sabha seat in UP that the Congress secured in 2019.
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, spanning 6,700 km through 15 states, aims to champion the message of “nyay” (justice) while engaging with ordinary citizens along the way.
Despite heightened anticipation of a direct confrontation between Gandhi and Irani, officials familiar with their schedules suggest that such an encounter is unlikely. Both leaders have packed itineraries, and their paths are expected to intersect only symbolically during this visit.
Speculation regarding party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting from Rae Bareli is gaining traction following Sonia Gandhi”s decision to shift to the Rajya Sabha, with her assertion that the Gandhis will maintain their association with the region.
While there is no official confirmation yet, senior party members indicate a growing demand for either Priyanka Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi to contest from Rae Bareli, emphasizing its status as the Gandhi family”s stronghold.
“Rae Bareli is the Gandhi family’s seat. It will remain with the family,” said Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Rai.
In 2019, Rahul Gandhi lost Amethi but won from the other constituency Wayanad in Kerala. On Saturday, Gandhi, who was in Varanasi, left for Wayanad after public protest over the deaths of residents in wild elephant attacks.
