Rae Bareli and Amethi seats are two of the most significant seats for the Congress. The party is doing meticulous planning to turn the table ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in both these constituencies. Congress General Secretary, Priyanka Gandhi shall be the main strategist. Yet, party’s veteran leaders have been called to take forward the party’s campaign.
After Rahul Gandhi’s decision not to contest the elections from Amethi, numerous questions have surfaced. Party leaders are rallying behind him, asserting that the outcomes will provide clarity on the correctness of the decision. The argument posits that Congress candidate Kishori Lal Sharma has been deeply involved in the area for four decades, with intimate knowledge of every household. However, the verdict will be revealed on 4 June.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Gehlot has been specifically allotted the task of overseeing Amethi, where Priyanka will dedicate the majority of her time. Additionally, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Baghel will be responsible for Rae Bareli. Both leaders bring considerable experience in Uttar Pradesh, with Baghel previously serving as an observer during assembly elections.
Gehlot, in his capacity as party general secretary, previously contested elections independently in Uttar Pradesh in 2007, rejuvenating party workers through his efforts.
Furthermore, he has previously led investigation committees.
In the past, all the strategy and planning of Congress has fallen flat and gone erroneous. Due to coalition politics, Congress was completely destroyed. In 2019, Congress even lost the election of Amethi. The only seat won was Rae Bareli, by Sonia Gandhi. In the 2022 assembly elections, Priyanka Gandhi did her own kind of politics. Tried many experiments. Gave tickets to 40 percent women. Took the responsibility of the elections herself, but the results were such that the vote percentage came down to three percent.
In Uttar Pradesh, Congress seems to have hit the bottom. For the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the party is once again focusing its efforts on Rae Bareli and Amethi. Winning both these seats would significantly boost the morale of party workers in Uttar Pradesh. It appears that Priyanka Gandhi has taken the responsibility for securing victory in both constituencies.
Considering their experience, Priyanka has enlisted the support of Gehlot and Baghel. Gehlot, renowned as a political strategist, holds considerable sway within the organization. Meanwhile, Baghel has matured into a seasoned politician. This election holds significant importance for both leaders, as a victory would elevate the party’s stature.
Priyanka Gandhi has intensified her efforts by personally visiting Amethi and engaging in extensive meetings with officials and workers, initiating an assertive strategy. Party stalwarts are expected to join the campaign soon.
However, the contest in Rae Bareli is anticipated to be challenging, with BJP candidate DP Singh maintaining a strong presence over the past decade.
In the previous election, Singh significantly narrowed Sonia Gandhi’s victory margin. Despite the setback, the BJP has kept him active in the region. Consequently, the challenge for Rahul Gandhi may not be straightforward. Although Sonia Gandhi’s presence in campaigning could garner sympathy for Rahul, Amethi presents an intriguing contest.
Priyanka and Gehlot’s strategy will be closely monitored, particularly as BJP candidate Smriti Irani has solidified her foothold in the constituency over the last decade.