Theory of Amethi as preferred seat for Gandhi family debut gains traction

LUCKNOW: After days of speculation around the probable candidates of the Congress party, the theory that “Gandhi family members make their political debut from Amethi” gained traction on Wednesday.
The list begins with Sanjay Gandhi who contested and won the from Amethi in 1980. When the seat was vacated after his demise the next year, his brother Rajiv Gandhi made his political debut in the 1981 by-election.
Amethi remained synonymous with Rajiv Gandhi till his death in 1991. His wife Sonia Gandhi made her political debut from this seat in 1999 and left it for son Rahul Gandhi who has been associated with the seat since 2004.
Rahul, however, lost to BJP’s Smriti Irani in 2019 Lok Sabha election and now speculation is rife that he will contest from the seat to reclaim his legacy all over again.
While Congress cadre and followers in Amethi await the arrival of a Gandhi family member as candidate from the seat, the theory of Priyanka’s debut is also gaining ground.
“Gandhi family holds a special place in the heart of people in Amethi and the love is revered and reciprocated by the present generation. If Priyanka ‘didi’ must make her political debut in this election, there is no better choice than Amethi,” remarked a Sewa Dal worker in Amethi.
Adding that Amethi is the second home of the Gandhi family, a Youth Congress member said: “Amethi has been the ‘karmbhoomi of Priyanka Gandhi when she mobilized and consolidated the generational cadre in the district for Rahul Gandhi in elections. Time has come for her to come to the fore and claim her due.”
The leadership, however, remained tight-lipped over the announcement of candidates from the two seats.
“Let the time come,” said state in-charge, Avinash Pande, even as he admitted that barely 48 hours were left for the nomination window to close.
In-charge of Amethi and ex-MLC Deepak Singh said: “The nomination team is here. The candidate will follow soon.”
Sources, however, said that the nomination team headed by AICC member KL Sharma and comprising two lawyers from New Delhi held marathon meetings to prepare for the nomination even as they revealed that the form for nomination (which is issued against the candidate’s name) was yet to be procured.