In the realm of political maneuvers, the Congress has strategically deployed former Chief Ministers Bhupesh Baghel and Ashok Gehlot to augment the efforts of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who assumes personal oversight of the party’s campaign in the familial bastions of Rae Bareli and Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. Baghel shall serve as the AICC observer in Rae Bareli, where the erstwhile party head Rahul Gandhi contends against Dinesh Pratap Singh of the BJP, while Gehlot shall undertake the same role in Amethi, where party contender KL Sharma faces off against Union Minister and incumbent BJP MP Smriti Irani.
Despite the Congress’s setback in the 2023 Assembly polls under Baghel in Chhattisgarh and Gehlot in Rajasthan, both leaders clinched victories in their respective constituencies of Patan and Sardarpura. These seasoned stalwarts are poised to lend their expertise to Priyanka Gandhi, who is slated to arrive in Amethi on the evening of May 6 to spearhead the party’s campaign in these pivotal constituencies. Avinash Pande, the AICC’s overseer for Uttar Pradesh, conveyed , “The presence of former Chief Ministers underscores our earnestness in these constituencies. Their presence shall invigorate local party workers, and their electoral acumen shall prove invaluable in steering the campaign in these high-profile battlegrounds.”
“Despite her status as a national star campaigner, Priyanka Gandhi has historically nurtured these constituencies and intends to devote substantial time to them,” Pande remarked. Party insiders anticipate that Priyanka Gandhi will engage in a series of intimate gatherings with voters and embark on door-to-door canvassing, leveraging her deep familiarity with the electorate.
According to former UP Congress chief Brijlal Khabri, the presence of two former Chief Ministers will serve as a deterrent to local authorities and streamline coordination between local and AICC teams. “The BJP is perturbed by Rahul Gandhi’s decision to contest from Rae Bareli. On May 5, our vehicles were assaulted by BJP supporters. Such incidents may recur in the days ahead. However, the presence of two former Chief Ministers will deter district officials from succumbing to pressure,” Khabri informed. In addition to the ex-Chief Ministers, the party intends to dispatch senior state functionaries to bolster the campaign in Amethi and Rae Bareli by galvanizing local voters.
“I shall arrive on May 10, joined by leaders like Nasimuddin Siddiqui, Nakul Dubey, Anil Yadav, and Yogesh Dixit, who will also canvass in these constituencies. Our mission is to engage voters and garner maximum support for the party on polling day. While our party enjoys significant strength in these constituencies, additional efforts shall yield superior outcomes,” Khabri asserted.
Party insiders reveal that the Congress’s campaign in these pivotal constituencies will predominantly emphasize the developmental strides achieved by the party’s leaders in bygone eras and the party’s commitment to social justice in 2024.
“The incumbent BJP MP’s record in Amethi is lackluster, notwithstanding her lofty claims. Our manifesto comprising 25 pledges holds substantial sway. Our candidate, KL Sharma, enjoys longstanding rapport with voters and is poised for victory,” Khabri declared. Rahul represented Amethi from 2004 to 2019, while Sonia Gandhi represented Rae Bareli from 2004 to 2024, subsequently assuming a seat in the Rajya Sabha.
