Amethi and Rae Bareli would have been nondescript specks on the map but for their long association with the nation’s premier political dynasty, writes Avinash Misra
Till the Nehru-Gandhis took Rae Bareli under their electoral wings, it was a neglected region. But the relations between the family and the constituency date back to the pre-Independence era when a spirited demonstration against the British by the banks of the Sai river saw many farmers lose their lives. The demonstration was led by Moti Lal Nehru and Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru who would often sit with the farmers to understand their problems. Over the years that relationship has been taken forward by the younger generation and except for two occasions, the seat has gone to the Congress.
Post-independence, Nehru asked Feroze Gandhi to fight elections from Rae Bareli. In 1952 and 1957, he entered the Lok Sabha as a Congress candidate. In 1967, Indira Gandhi set her sights on Rae Bareli and won a thumping majority (66 per cent of the votes cast) which sent her to the Prime Ministerial chair. In 1980, she defeated the Janata Party candidate. In 1984, Arun Nehru won the seat with 70 per cent of the votes cast. In 1989 and 1991 it was Shiela Kaul who romped home. Sonia Gandhi took up the fight in 2004. In 2009, she drew 72 per cent of the vote.
Rae Bareli’s golden period extended between 1967 and 1984 when Indira Gandhi brought many projects to her constituency. These included a new railway station and bus terminus, a new post office and the laying of sewers. In 1972, the Indian Telephone Industries set up base in the constituency. The goody bag also included a cement factory, a pilot training academy, and numerous industrial units. Sonia's biggest contribution so far has been the setting up of a railway coach factory at Lalganj. A petroleum institute and a National Institute of Fashion Design have also been set up despite land quibbles with the UP government.
Sampoornanand Misra of Simrota village (Tiloi) says, “The relationship we share with the Gandhis is deeply emotional. Rae Bareli was the stronghold of feudalists but that changed after the Nehru-Gandhis adopted this constituency. The relationship is so intimate that a person from the constituency can have unfettered access to the entire family. Soniaji visits us every month. When she resigned from the Lok Sabha, we were the first ones to know why.”
Till the Nehru-Gandhis took Rae Bareli under their electoral wings, it was a neglected region. But the relations between the family and the constituency date back to the pre-Independence era when a spirited demonstration against the British by the banks of the Sai river saw many farmers lose their lives. The demonstration was led by Moti Lal Nehru and Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru who would often sit with the farmers to understand their problems. Over the years that relationship has been taken forward by the younger generation and except for two occasions, the seat has gone to the Congress.
Post-independence, Nehru asked Feroze Gandhi to fight elections from Rae Bareli. In 1952 and 1957, he entered the Lok Sabha as a Congress candidate. In 1967, Indira Gandhi set her sights on Rae Bareli and won a thumping majority (66 per cent of the votes cast) which sent her to the Prime Ministerial chair. In 1980, she defeated the Janata Party candidate. In 1984, Arun Nehru won the seat with 70 per cent of the votes cast. In 1989 and 1991 it was Shiela Kaul who romped home. Sonia Gandhi took up the fight in 2004. In 2009, she drew 72 per cent of the vote.
Rae Bareli’s golden period extended between 1967 and 1984 when Indira Gandhi brought many projects to her constituency. These included a new railway station and bus terminus, a new post office and the laying of sewers. In 1972, the Indian Telephone Industries set up base in the constituency. The goody bag also included a cement factory, a pilot training academy, and numerous industrial units. Sonia's biggest contribution so far has been the setting up of a railway coach factory at Lalganj. A petroleum institute and a National Institute of Fashion Design have also been set up despite land quibbles with the UP government.
Sampoornanand Misra of Simrota village (Tiloi) says, “The relationship we share with the Gandhis is deeply emotional. Rae Bareli was the stronghold of feudalists but that changed after the Nehru-Gandhis adopted this constituency. The relationship is so intimate that a person from the constituency can have unfettered access to the entire family. Soniaji visits us every month. When she resigned from the Lok Sabha, we were the first ones to know why.”
