Will it be General (Retired) VK Singh versus Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls? The former Army Chief has discussed the idea with top BJP leaders, who are “excited” at the thought of having a high voltage battle in the pocket borough of the Nehru-Gandhi family. “The former Army Chief was earlier interested in testing electoral waters from Bhiwani in Haryana, his home State. But, Singh realises that the Jat-dominated constituency may not be a winnable seat for Singh, a Thakur,” sources privy to the development told The Pioneer. Rae Bareli and the neighbouring constituencies of Central UP have a sizable Thakur population. Sources said Singh, also believed his entry into politics would be grand if he took on the Congress chief in her den. Singh could not be contacted as he is in the US for the last two weeks. Singh met three top BJP leaders in the last couple of months to explore possibilities of contesting from Rae Bareli on a BJP ticket. BJP leaders are also “positive” about his proposal, sources claimed adding, “The BJP would suitably accommodate Singh even if he lost the battle against Gandhi.” Singh is currently leading an anti-corruption campaign along with social activist Anna Hazare and is expected to visit Rae Bareli soon. Sources claimed Singh could lay bare his political intentions around October 11, the birth anniversary of legendary leader Jaiprakash Narayan who steered the most effective anti-Congress campaign in Indian history. The Rae Bareli Parliamentary constituency consists of Bachhrawan (SC), Harchandpur, Rae Bareli, Sareni and Unchahar Assembly segments. As Congress candidate from Rae Bareli, Gandhi had polled over 4.80 lakh votes in the 2009 elections and her victory margin was over 3.72 lakhs. However, the Congress faced a humiliating defeat in the 2009 Assembly elections. It stood third in Bachhrawan, Rae Bareli, Sareni and Unchahar and second in Harchandpur Assembly segments. The BJP candidate from Rae Bareli got just a little over 25,000 votes in the 2009 elections and the party feel the retired general would substantially reduce Gandhi’s victory margin. With Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi taking centre stage and his trusted aide Amit Shah managing UP affairs for the party, BJP leaders hope Gandhi would face the toughest electoral battle of her political career in the next poll.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Aug 2013 08:52:50 +0000
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