A one-sided contest now in Amethi: Smriti Irani

Soon after the Congress announced to field Kishori Lal Sharma in Amethi instead of a Gandhi family member, BJP MP Smriti Irani said history has been scripted even before the vote has been cast this time, even as voters reported a sense of dismay. Voters believe that while it would have been a close fight between a Gandhi and the BJP here, now it has almost become like a one-sided contest.

Showing full support for Sharma, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra held a roadshow for him accompanied by senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot. "There has been great development in Amethi...if this much has been accomplished in 5 years out of which two years were lost to the battle against Covid, then why was it not done for 50 years in Amethi by the Gandhi family?" Irani told the media.

"People really wanted someone from the Gandhi family to contest. Had Rahul or Priyanka contested, then they had a winning chance as the sentimental connection is still quite there. Now, one cannot really say the same," Ravi Shankar, head of a village in Gauriganj area, said.


BJP's prospects are also being boosted by the support of SP MLA from Gauriganj Rakesh Pratap Singh who had cross-voted for the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls, and is now seen supporting Irani. "Congress will get votes of its staunch loyalists, but people will lose interest in the election now. It has almost become like a one-sided contest," said Monu Jayaswal, head of a village in the Tiloi block of Amethi. "It is like the name of Gandhis has been wiped out from Amethi," he added.