Congress, in a final display of surrender against the BJP, has declared that Priyanka Gandhi would not be contesting from Varanasi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress, in haste, has declared Ajai Rai’s name as their candidate from Varanasi, seemingly aiming to time it before Prime Minister’s mega roadshow in the holy town. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was giving hints for her candidature from Varanasi, by pitching Ajai Rai’s name, has clearly attempted to save her face in the wake of the mega road show of Prime Minister.
Ajai Rai, current Congress candidate from Varanasi will also be facing tough winds as he had also lost the polls by a margin of more than 5 lakh votes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2014 general elections.
Congress is already struggling to gather air for its political campaign. Snubbed by allies, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has also decided to contest from Wayanad in Kerala, a second seat along with the family bastion Amethi.
Rahul Gandhi is under tremendous pressure to safeguard his seat in Lok Sabha, with Smriti Irani gaining strength in Amethi. People of Amethi have also displayed their reservations for Rahul Gandhi. Despite giving chance after chance to the biggest political dynasty in India, Amethi is yet to see any significant development and Rahul jumping his base to Wayanad is certainly not going down well with the voters in Amethi.
Satish Tiwari, 35, resident of Saraibhagmani village in Gauriganj, has been voting for the Gandhi family however says he may opt for BJP’s Candidate Smriti Irani this time. “I am hurt. Rahulji’s decision to opt for Wayanad is an insult to Amethi. We have always treated the Gandhis as family and they too have given us a similar impression. But, Wayanad makes it obvious that they are exploring options,” he says.
“In a political scoop coming out of the Congress camp, sources have revealed that Priyanka Vadra may not contest against PM Modi as a fraction of people in the party feels that ‘her loss would be disastrous’.” An earlier report by Republic TV also substantiates recent developments. Gauging the current political sentiment of the Congress, this move to save Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from a major embarrassment, in the wee days of her career would surely be beneficial for the Gandhi family, as an electoral defeat would have meant the dissolution of the artificial ‘aura’ build around Priyanka Vadra by the Congress and a section of media.
Striking chords of similarity with her grandmother Indira Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has dislodged Rahul Gandhi from the position of most popular leader of the Congress, however with this move Congress has even surrendered the last hope which they had to save the party from another crushing defeat like in the 2014 general elections.