The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot asserted on Tuesday that Rahul Gandhi contesting from Rae Bareli has invigorated the INDIA bloc in Uttar Pradesh, forecasting a substantial setback for the BJP in the politically crucial state. In an interview with PTI, the Congress general secretary expressed confidence that Gandhi would secure a record-breaking victory margin.
Rahul Gandhi is up against BJP’s Dinesh Pratap Singh in Rae Bareli, while Kishori Lal Sharma, a longtime Gandhi family aide, is contesting against BJP’s Smriti Irani in Amethi. Pilot, campaigning for Gandhi, emphasized the strong pro-Congress sentiment in both constituencies, predicting significant wins for the party.
“In Rae Bareli, we are campaigning today, we will have a record-breaking mandate for Mr. (Rahul) Gandhi. I can see the sentiment, people across communities and castes will vote for us,” Pilot said. He highlighted Sharma’s deep roots in Amethi, having worked in the area for over 40 years, and expressed confidence in his ability to win the seat for Congress.
Pilot argued that Gandhi’s contesting from Rae Bareli not only bolsters the Congress but also strengthens the INDIA bloc, positioning the BJP on the back foot in Uttar Pradesh. “The BJP is heading for a huge setback in Uttar Pradesh also,” he claimed.
Responding to BJP accusations that Gandhi “ran away” from Amethi fearing defeat, Pilot defended the former Congress president’s record of confronting the government over the past decade, both in and out of Parliament. “He has not left a single issue and has led the charge from the front,” Pilot said, highlighting Gandhi’s attacks on corruption, favoritism, crony capitalism, and black money.
Pilot also addressed BJP candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh’s derogatory remarks about Sharma, calling for elections to be fought on issues with respect for opponents. “This name-calling and undignified language reflect the mindset of the person using them,” Pilot stated, urging for fair and respectful electoral conduct.
Pilot confidently predicted that Rahul Gandhi would win Rae Bareli by the highest margin ever recorded, underscoring the stronghold the Gandhi family has traditionally maintained in the region. Amethi and Rae Bareli, long synonymous with the Gandhis, will see their constituencies go to polls on May 20, in the fifth phase of the seven-phase election.
In the 2019 general election, Smriti Irani defeated Rahul Gandhi in Amethi by more than 55,000 votes, while Sonia Gandhi won Rae Bareli by over 167,000 votes against Singh.