Congress Party’s New Candidate for Amethi: Kishori Lal Sharma
The Congress party has fielded a new contestant, Kishori Lal Sharma, who is all set to replace Rahul Gandhi in the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency. Ending the speculation about the Gandhi family’s historic seats in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress party declared on Friday that Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi will run for Raebareli and Kishori Lal Sharma for Amethi.
The Political Landscape in Amethi
Kishori Lal Sharma is preparing to run for Lok Sabha in 2024 against BJP politician and Union minister Smriti Irani, who is now the BJP MP in Amethi. Kishori Lal Sharma is from Punjab’s Ludhiana and is thought to be close to the Gandhi family, having served as the Congress party’s and Sonia Gandhi’s manager in Rae Bareli while she was absent.
Sharma was close to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and following his death in 1991, his relationship with the Gandhi family grew closer. He moved to Amethi in 1983 and has worked for the Congress party ever since. Interestingly, Kishori Lal Sharma played an important role in Sonia Gandhi’s first election victory in 1999.
Sharma began to administer the party’s activities in both Uttar Pradesh constituencies, Amethi and Rae Bareli, after Sonia Gandhi abandoned her seat for son Rahul Gandhi in 2004 and relocated to Raebareli.
A Historic Stronghold: Amethi
Amethi was the Gandhi family’s stronghold until 2019, when Congressman Rahul Gandhi lost the general election to BJP leader Smriti Irani. From 2004 to 2019, the Congress scion represented Amethi in the Lower House of parliament.
Will the Congress Bid Farewell to Amethi?
Kishori Lal Sharma, he is known, always wears a safari suit with a thick moustache. The man who would dart away when a microphone approached him is better known as Sonia Gandhi’s silent spokesperson and the Gandhis’ manager in Raebareli and Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
However, Kishori Lal Sharma would find it difficult to walk away now that the party he supports has chosen him to face Union Minister Smriti Irani in the 2024 elections. Sharma, who is originally from Punjab’s Ludhiana, took over the reins in 1983, but it wasn’t until Rajiv Gandhi’s death that he became Sonia Gandhi’s trusted lieutenant, ensuring that her wishes were followed in Amethi and Raebareli.
A New Era for Congress in Uttar Pradesh
Not long after his name was revealed, the reserved KISHORI LAL chatted with News18. “I adhere to the Gandhis’ ruling. No, I don’t believe that I am a poor contender. I am more acquainted with Amethi than Smriti Irani.
Many view Sharma’s selection as a soft coup for Irani. With his choice, it appears that two messages were sent out: first, that Rahul Gandhi fled after losing in 2019 and, second, that the Gandhi family’s home seat had been permanently given up. It is anticipated that this will be the last farewell to Amethi and that it will have a significant impact on Congress’ UP politics.
Irani’s rise to power was based in part on his opposition to the Gandhis’ entitlements. The decision made by KISHORI LAL solidifies the perception. Sharma has assisted the Gandhis with logistics as an adviser. Despite being in a position of authority, he has no political experience. Whenever the Gandhi siblings visited the constituencies, he was constantly seen with them. Getting him to even confirm a piece of news was difficult. His unique selling point and signature was silence. KISHORI LAL, though, has now found his voice. The Voice of His Master.
