Faisal Fareed
Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow
Lucknow, Jan 17: With a distance of nearly 350 km between them, the two scions of Gandhi family were on the roads seeking votes for the Congress. Both the siblings vouched for offering 'Aam Admi ki Sarkar' if Congress assumed power in the state.
Besides her charming look, Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra on Tuesday urged the people of Amethi and Raibareilly to vote for Congress. His brother and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on the other hand, at the same time, addressed a public rally in Bundelkhand highlighting the miseries of the state ruled by non-Congress government for the past two decades.
Amidst the campaigning trail, Priyanka Gandhi hinted that she was open to the idea of campaigning for Congress outside Amethi and Raibareilly constituencies. "I have not decided yet...So far I am here for a meeting in Raibareilly and my brother and I will talk to each other and decide. I am open to the idea and will do anything to help my
brother," she told reporters when asked whether she would campaign in the coming polls.
The twin constituencies are strongholds of Congress. Amethi is represented by Rahul and Raibareilly by Sonia Gandhi in Lok Sabha. Priyanka is hopeful of repeating the 1985 performance of Congress when all the ten assembly seats in these areas were won by the party.
However, Priyanka remained non committal about joining active politics. "No, no... He knows to what extent he can require me..." she remarked, but remained hopeful of Rahul Gandhi's success. Priyanka dodged the controversial querries about Batla House encounter stating that she was here for a particular purpose and cannot comment on anything else.
During her tour, Priyanka, was stopped by women workers of a textile factory, which had closed down two years back. However, realising the intricacy of the problem, Priyanka stated that she will try to settle it but cannot promise as it is election time.
Another 350 km away, Rahul Gandhi started his three day tour of Bundelkhand on Tuesday. Rahul seems to be relieved after handing over the charge to her younger sister Priyanka to attend Amethi and Raibareilly.
In full form, Rahul lashed out at Samajwadi Party (SP) and the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). "SP's cycle has punctured your hope. It was in power thrice but failed to live upto the expectations. Even the police failed to give justice as the police stations were ruled by goons," said Rahul.
Targetting the BSP, Rahul stated that he had urged the PM about the miseries of Bundelkhand. "A package of over Rs 8000 crore was sanctioned. But a greedy elephant in Lucknow siphoned away your money. The tractors meant for Bundelkhand farmers were given to children of Naseemuddin Siddiqui while the former were given sick goats," he said.