Assembly Elections / Will Akhilesh Yadav settle the score of Madhya Pradesh in Amethi-Rae Bareli?

Assembly Elections: Will Congress be able to show any charisma in 2024 without SP on Amethi and Rae Bareli seats, which were once considered Congress strongholds in Uttar Pradesh? In 2019, Amethi has gone out of the hands of Congress, whereas in Rae Bareli, due to the long absence of Sonia Gandhi and tremendous activism of BJP, the challenge of 2024 has become difficult. On the other hand, the politics of Uttar Pradesh has come under the grip of conflict between Congress and SP of Madhya Pradesh.

After the formation of the opposition's I.N.D.I.A. alliance, it was believed that SP would once again stay away from Amethi and Rae Bareli. But the tornado that originated from Madhya Pradesh has changed the situation. There is news of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav calling party leaders of Amethi and Rae Bareli to Lucknow on October 25. Obviously this has indicated that all is not well in the anti-BJP alliance.

Gandhi family indifferent to Amethi; leaders still have hope

The Gandhi family may be silent, but for the last few days, Congressmen from Lucknow to Amethi are once again hoping for the candidature of a member of the Gandhi family from Amethi in 2024. They feel that either Rahul or Priyanka will contest to return the family seat. This discussion was fueled by the statements of Ajay Rai, who was made the state president. I.N.D.I.A. of opposition parties The alliance and the resolve to defeat BJP together gave courage. On the other hand, the closure of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Munshiganj (Amethi) energized the local Congressmen and they took to the streets along with SP leaders and workers. Overall, an atmosphere was created that Congress along with other opposition parties is preparing to win Amethi again in the elections.

SP's support needed in Amethi-Rae Bareli also

Due to the defeat in Amethi in 2019, there are ifs and buts regarding 2024, on the other hand, Sonia Gandhi's long absence from her constituency even after the 2019 victory in Rae Bareli is raising doubts over her next candidature. The only presence of Congress from Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha is from Rae Bareli. The Congress leaders of Uttar Pradesh may claim to be prepared on 80 seats, but the ground truth is that even in Amethi and Rae Bareli, despite the presence of the Gandhi family, it still needs the support of SP.

Congress has a total of three assembly seats in the entire state. The party is at zero in the assembly from Amethi and Rae Bareli, which are considered synonymous with the Gandhi family. On the other hand, SP is holding two out of five seats in Amethi and four out of five seats in Rae Bareli.

Hospital question; Varun spoke but Rahul and Priyanka remained silent.

Of course, at one time Amethi and Rae Bareli were dominated by the Gandhi family, but that time has been left behind. At present, Congress is sluggish in both these areas and its workers are dejected and disappointed. Distance from power is not the only reason for this. The big reason is that the Gandhi family has left the area as well as the workers to fend for themselves.

After the 2019 defeat, Rahul's presence in Amethi became possible on two-three occasions including the 2022 assembly elections. Same was the condition of Priyanka. The reason for Sonia Gandhi's distance from the area is said to be her illness.

On the other hand, the challenge of 2024 is close but in both the areas called strongholds, forget the preparation of the party, there is only speculation regarding the candidature. All the enthusiasm of the party is limited to the enthusiastic statements of the state and local leaders. The state of indifference of the Gandhi family is such that after the death of a patient recently, the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, run by his family trust in Amethi, was locked by the administration.

This issue remained in the headlines in the media. Local party workers took to the streets. State leaders kept expressing their anger. Even BJP MP Varun Gandhi from the opposition faction of the family wrote a letter calling the hospital closure wrong. But Rahul, Priyanka and Sonia considered it appropriate to maintain silence. Later the hospital could become operational due to court order.

So now Amethi-Rae Bareli, Congress has a weak link…!

Will the feud between SP and Congress regarding Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections bring any success in Uttar Pradesh? At present, the harshness of the statements of both the camps is pointing in this direction. During his visit to Amethi in the month of March, Akhilesh Yadav had indicated the preparation of SP from Amethi and Rae Bareli in 2024. He took a jibe at the situation there by saying that till now VIPs have been elected from here, now people with big hearts will be elected. SP has left Amethi Lok Sabha seat for the Gandhi family since 1999. The party last contested the 2006 by-election in Rae Bareli.

SP has proved its strength election after election in the assembly seats of both the regions. It is obvious that this power of his can change the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections. After the formation of I.N.D.I.A alliance, it was assumed that SP would once again leave Amethi and Rae Bareli in the name of Gandhi family. There SP had also put brakes on its activism. But in the changed circumstances the tension between the two parties has increased. The injury to Madhya Pradesh can be accounted for in Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections are far away. But Lok Sabha elections are near. At present Amethi-Rae Bareli is a weak link of Congress but necessary for its existence in Uttar Pradesh. Has Akhilesh made up his mind to attack him?