NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi, son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, ‘will soon appear at a public function in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, his father’s Constituency. Speculation is on whether this will lead in the near future to a more publicly political career for him.
Ms. Sonia Gandhi, who is expected to return from a tour of London, South Korea and Mongolia by mid-July, is slated to be the chief guest on the platform where her son will be present, say political sources close to the Gandhi family. She is to receive an award in Koreaandin Mongolia where she will be a guest of the president.
Sources close to 10 Janpath said it ‘was possible that Rahul Gandhi, who has now attained the age of 25 and has returned from Harvard University in the USA, could be a contender for the Congress ticket from Amethi in the next Lok Sabha election. At present, the MP from Amethi is apt Satish Sharma, minister of state with independent charge for petroleum and natural gas, At the time of his nomination stressed his loyalty to Rajiv Gandhi and said he was merely keeping the seat warm for a member ‘of the Rajiv family to step in. In the event of Rahul Gandhi deciding to contest from Amethi, Sharma would have to shift to some other constituency, sources said.
“The Gandhi family has an emotional link with the people of Amethi. Rahul Gandhi will receive a rousing reception at a function being organized in honor of Sonia Gandhi, “one of the organizers said. Party sources said Sonia Gandhi had apparently allowed her son to enter politics while keeping daughter Priyanka away.
It had been generally believed that Ms. Priyanka would be the one to center politics. But that would appear to be a misconception, now that the probability of Rahul Gandhi entering active political life looks greater. Friends and acquaintances of Sonia Gandhi were under the impression that she would be against her children entering active politics in view of the tradition of dangers that has dogged the Gandhi family in politics. A decision on whether Rahul Gandhi will be projected as a rallying point by sections of the Congress party will apparently be taken after judging the response to his presence at the public meeting in Amethi.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 7, 1995
