Amidst speculations that Rahul Gandhi might contest the Lok Sabha polls from Amethi, videos of massive cleaning and renovation work at his house in the town have surfaced on social media and generated considerable buzz among the UP Congress cadre. Although the candidates for Amethi and Rae Bareli seats are yet to be announced, Congress workers are confident that their leader will not disappoint them. And so far, Rahul Gandhi has not given a negative reply to questions on his possible candidature from the traditional party borough lost to BJP’s Smriti Irani in 2019.
On Friday, when Rahul addressed reporters in Ghaziabad along with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, he said: “Such decisions are taken by the central election committee in our party, and I shall abide by it.” The ambiguous reply was taken very positively by the party cadre in Amethi. 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.” Workers who were engaged in the cleaning activity 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.
The workers engaged were not just cleaning the bungalow, they were also seen clearing the garden area. Tentage poles and material for a canopy were also seen lying near the house. Congress sources said that candidates for the two VIP seats are expected to be announced on or after April 26 when polling for Wayanad finishes. Amethi goes to poll in the fifth phase, polling for which is to take place on May 20.
