New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that Rae Bareli should once again show the path to progress and development for Uttar Pradesh and the entire country. He noted that the city has historically been the ideological and political centre of the state.
In a video shared on social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi, alongside his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, reminisced about their childhood memories while passing through Rae Bareli. Rahul Gandhi is contesting the Lok Sabha seat from Rae Bareli, previously held by his mother, Sonia Gandhi.
"Rae Bareli has an important role in India's progress, in giving direction to the country. Rae Bareli has for years been Uttar Pradesh's political and ideological centre, and it was Rae Bareli that showed the path in the freedom struggle," said Gandhi in the four-minute video.
He further asserted that Rae Bareli should now lead Uttar Pradesh in progress and development, which in turn will guide the nation's advancement.
Rahul Gandhi, who contested from Amethi in the last Lok Sabha elections and lost to BJP's Smriti Irani, has shifted his political base to Rae Bareli for this election.
Taking a subtle jab at BJP leaders, Gandhi spoke about the importance of respecting family ties and maintaining relationships, both within and outside the family.
"When you do politics, if you do not respect your family and cannot maintain your relations in the family, you cannot keep ties outside (the family) too," he said. "If you lie in your daily life, you will lie in politics," he added.
Reflecting on their journey to Rae Bareli, Rahul Gandhi shared fond memories of their childhood, recalling his grandmother's wisdom, his father's favourite jalebis, and the cakes made by Priyanka. "We have had a deep relationship with politics since childhood, but politics never came between our relationships," he noted.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also appealed to the people to remain focused on development and progress in their lives, emphasising the power of their vote.
"Do not get diverted at any level in this election. Remain focused like Arjun and keep focusing on your target like Arjun's aim on the eyes of fish. You have to remain focused the same way on your target and your development. Your vote is the biggest weapon in your hand. Use it effectively and this will change your future," Priyanka Gandhi urged in the video shared by Rahul Gandhi.
The Gandhis' appeal underscores their commitment to revitalizing Rae Bareli and leveraging its historical significance to foster development in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.
