Rae Bareli has been the realm of Congress for a long time. Just like Amethi this seat is known for its loyalty to the Nehru-Gandhi family. They have returned the family to the Lower House almost religiously except for some brief interregnums. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s husband Feroze Gandhi won from entered the Lok Sabha for the first timein 1952 representing this constituency. After his death the seat went to Indira Gandhi. Indira won this seat for the first time in 1967 and then again in 1971. It was from Rae Bareli that she staged her dramatic political comeback after being in political wilderness for three years after emergency. The constituency also has the dubious distinction of making them a member Nehru-Gandhi family lose elections for the first time. It was in this battleground that Indira Gandhi was punished for the emergency excesses. She lost the seat to Lok Dal’s Raj Narain. After Indira Gandhi`s assassination voters from Rae Bareli made Arun Nehru ride on their votes to enter Parliament. But once he turned his back on Congress in 1989 the constituency refused to support him anymore.

At present Captain Satish Sharma is the sitting MP. But sensing defeat the Congress has decided to field none other that the party president Sonia from the constituency this time.

The battle of Rae Braeli has just turned interesting.

Bureau Report