'Rae Bareli Pukarti': Supporters Rally For Priyanka Gandhi Vadra In Congress' Last Citadel In UP
Congress supporters are rooting for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to contest from Uttar Pradesh”s Rae Bareli, vacated by her mother and former party chief Sonia Gandhi. The historical significance of Rae Bareli, a traditional Congress bastion once held by the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, underscores the importance of this constituency for the party. Interestingly, it was here in 1977 that Indira Gandhi faced defeat, making her the only sitting Prime Minister to lose a Lok Sabha contest.
For the last 20 years, Rae Bareli has been synonymous with Sonia Gandhi”s representation, who has since transitioned to the Rajya Sabha. As the Congress deliberates on its choice for the Rae Bareli seat, supporters of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have covered the constituency with posters urging her to continue the party”s legacy of development. These posters feature iconic figures such as Sonia Gandhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad.
One of the posters reads: “Rae Bareli pukarti, Priyanka Gandhi ji aaye (Raebareli calls, Priyanka Gandhi come)”. It also says that the Congress should take forward its development work.
Meanwhile, the BJP is also yet to reveal its candidate for the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat. Given the Congress”s ability to clinch victories in Rae Bareli despite BJP surges in the past elections, the BJP”s selection for this seat holds significant interest. Moreover, Sonia Gandhi”s decision to vacate the seat has prompted speculation about its impact on the Congress”s electoral prospects.
Reflecting on the previous electoral dynamics, in the 2019 election, the BJP fielded Dinesh Pratap Singh, who lost to Sonia Gandhi by 1.60 lakh votes. Singh has pledged his support to whoever the party nominates this time.
In Amethi, another crucial seat for the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is repeating Union Minister Smriti Irani as its candidate. Irani”s candidacy marks her third consecutive bid for the seat, following her victory over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 elections. Amethi, once represented by Sonia Gandhi and late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, remains pivotal for both parties. However, the Congress is yet to announce its candidate for the upcoming polls.
