‘People of Amethi expect me to represent them’: Robert Vadra

On being asked if he will fight from Amethi, Vadra, speaking to news agency ANI, said, “…The people of Amethi expect me to represent their constituency if I decide to become a member of Parliament…For years, the Gandhi family worked hard in Rae Bareli, Amethi and Sultanpur…The people of Amethi are really troubled by the current Member of Parliament, they think they have made a mistake by electing her…”

“They want a member of the Gandhi family to return… they will ensure the person’s victory with a huge margin and they also expect that if I take my first step in politics, and think of becoming an MP, then I should represent Amethi,” he said.

Delhi | On UP’s Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, Robert Vadra says, “…The people of Amethi expect me to represent their constituency if I decide to become a member of Parliament…For years, the Gandhi family worked hard in Rae Bareli, Amethi and Sultanpur…The people of Amethi… pic.twitter.com/2kdmgQtrvv

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2024

Irani defeated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, a Nehru-Gandhi family stronghold, in one of the biggest upsets of the polls.

However, Vadra said that the decision on Amethi and Rae Bareli will be taken by the Congress leadership. “I’m not saying that I will contest from Amethi or Priyanka will contest from Rae Bareli. The decision will taken by the Congress party,” he said.

Congress has not yet named its candidates for Amethi and Rae Bareli seats in Uttar Pradesh, where it is contesting the Lok Sabha polls in alliance with the Samajwadi Party.

Vadra also said that in the past, he has received offers from various members of Parliament across party lines to contest elections.   “…I interact with people and there are MPs from different parties. They (MPs) ask me to come along with their party and ask me the reasons for the delay. They also assure me of their support… so different parties across the country are asking me to come along… I have friendships with a lot of people above the party lines,” he said.

In the 1999 Lok Sabha polls, Vadra had joined hands with Priyanka Gandhi for the Congress campaign in Amethi.

“In those times, politics was very different, fear was sought to be created among people. We used to visit sensitive areas at night, put up posters, distributed bags, worked hard with our workers day and night and gave them trust that we are there and they should keep working in their areas and booths. They know how we worked hard and there was brotherhood and love, which is still there,” he said.

“The people with whom I worked… outside my office, residence… they send message through social media, they cut cake on my birthday, arrange langar or other service for people because they know I like this. People in the country see that I stay among people, work hard as much as possible for the disabled and blind children and spend all time in charity. I visit on religious tour and they celebrate my birthday and celebrate festivals in my name and distribute among people there (Amethi),” he added.

Delhi | Robert Vadra says, “I want Priyanka (Gandhi) to become an MP first and then I feel I can also come…I interact with people and there are MPs from different parties. They (MPs) ask me to come along with their party and ask me the reasons for the delay. They also assure me… pic.twitter.com/VTLqEtfsYq

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2024

The Congress election committee in Uttar Pradesh had last month unanimously recommended that members of the Gandhi family should contest from Amethi and Raebareli Lok Sabha constituencies. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has been representing Rae Bareli since 2004. She has now been elected to Rajya Sabha.