Capt Satish Sharma was an exception but he was a very close friend of Rajiv Gandhi. Right from Indira Gandhi's husband Feroze Gandhi, Indira herself, then Mrs Sheila Kaul and family friend Capt Satish Sharma and finally Mrs Sonia Gandhi. Rae Bareli has always been a Gandhi family seat.

Local people of Rae Bareli still remember the magic of Priyanka Gandhi in 1999 Lok Sabha polls when she turned the table for Congress candidate Capt Satish Sharma with her maiden public speech. It only due to that speech Congress candidate Capt Satish Sharma close friend of her father Rajiv Gandhi won and powerful BJP candidate Arun Nehru who was front runner in opinion polls, was placed third.

Now it is to be seen how Priyanka Gandhi weaves magic for herself and ensure victory to retain the hold of family in prestigious Rae Bareli seat. Much significance is being attached to participation of Samajwadi Party national president and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav to join ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra of Rahul Gandhi at Rae Bareli.

With RLD joining NDA, now Congress and Samajwadi Party are major partners in INDIA alliance in UP. As of now Samajwadi Party has left 11 seats for Congress for Lok Sabha polls against the demand of 21 seats. With RLD gone, there are good chances that Samajwadi Party will keep Congress in good humour and give more seats.

It is worth mentioning here there have been understanding between Samajwadi Party to contest between Nehru-Gandhi family and Mulayam Singh Yadav family. There is no doubt that no candidate from Samajwadi Party will be fielded against Mrs Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli and Rahul Gandhi in Amethi. UPCC president Ajay Rai repeatedly said in public that Rahul would contest from Amethi and he would also request Priyanka Gandhi to contest Lok Sabha polls from the seat of her choice.

Mrs Sonia Gandhi going to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan has paved way for her daughter Priyanka Gandhi to contest from Rae Bareli to influence the voters of neighbouring districts in favour Congress in particular and INDIA alliance in general.

It is to be seen whether Rahul Gandhi returns to Amethi to reclaim his seat from BJP minister and sitting MP Mrs Smriti Irani or continue to contest from his seat in Kerala. With better understanding between Samajwadi Party and Congress enjoying the full backing of muslim community, INDIA alliance can put up good fight against BJP riding on Hindutva wave after the inauguration of Ram Temple at Ayodhya. (IPA Service)