In a major jolt to Congress in Amethi, the son of the local party leader who was the proposer for former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, will challenge party President Rahul Gandhi in the election.
Haji Haroon Rasheed, son of Haji Sultan Khan, who had signed as the proposer on the nomination forms of Rajiv Gandhi in the 1991 parliamentary elections and Sonia Gandhi in 1999,told to some source that they felt "completely sidelined" in the Congress.
He also added that now the entire community is feeling neglected due to the local leadership in Amethi.
Asked about the reason for contesting against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi, Rasheed said, "The local leadership of the Congress has been neglecting us for long time. And due to this, the development of the area as well as the community… both are being hampered."And also stated that there are about 6.5 lakh Muslim voters in the constituency and all will vote against Congress.
The Congress President this time is facing stiff challenge from the BJP'S candidate Smriti Irani, who is again contesting from the same constituency.
Irani had come second in 2014 elections. She had got over three lakh votes against 4.07 lakh polled by Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi has been representing Amethi in the Lok Sabha since 2004. His victory in the 2014 polls had come after some anxious moments, with nearest rival Smriti Irani securing over 3 lakh votes against his 4.07 lakh votes.
People in Amethi also complain that Rahul Gandhi has been unable to take forward the development works of Rajiv Gandhi.
The seat of Amethi has remained loyal to Gandhi's for nearly four decades.Sonia Gandhi left the seat for Rahul Gandhi in 2004, and since then he has been the sitting MP from Amethi.
Amethi goes to polls on May 6. A lot is at stake all eyes will be on May 23 when the election verdict will come.
