What's the buzz about Amethi, the erstwhile Gandhi pocket borough?
Amethi is back in news and buzzing with excitement. Even as the BJP leaders taunt Rahul Gandhi for leaving Amethi constituency for Wayanad in Kerala, videos of massive cleaning and renovation work at his house in the town were shared on social media. This has led to hope among the Uttar Pradesh Congress cadre who were demoralised after signs that Rahul may not fight from Amethi this time. In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul contested from Amethi and Wayanad. He lost to BJP's Smriti Irani in Amethi, but won from Wayanad. Rahul Gandhi represented Amethi from 2004 till 2019. The seat is also associated with Rahul’s father Rajiv Gandhi, who represented the seat between 1981 till his death in 1991. Sonia Gandhi contested elections from here in 1999 and passed it on to Rahul in 2004.
The workers engaged at Rahul's bungalow at Amethi were not just cleaning but also seen clearing the garden area, TOI has reported. Tent poles and material for a canopy were also seen lying near the house. The workers said that they were hired by the party. “I am told that Rahul Bhaiya will come soon. Therefore, all the cleaning and renovation work is being done,” said one of them. Asked to comment on renovation work underway at Rahul’s home in Amethi’s Gauriganj area, ex-MLC Deepak Singh said, “This is routine. Whether or not he contests elections from here, he is sure to visit Amethi during the campaign time.”
The candidates for Amethi and Rae Bareli seats, both of which have been pocket boroughs of the Gandhi family, have yet to be
