Amethi candidate KL Sharma rejects ‘peon’ label, asserts independence from Gandhi family

PTC News Desk: KL Sharma, the Congress candidate contesting from Amethi, has responded firmly to BJP jibes, asserting his political stature and independence from the Gandhi family. Addressing remarks likening him to a “peon” serving the Gandhis, Sharma declared himself a seasoned politician dedicated to defeating BJP incumbent Smriti Irani in what was once Congress’s stronghold.

The Congress’s decision to field KL Sharma from Amethi, a move that surprised many, came as Rahul Gandhi, the former MP from the constituency, filed his nomination from Rae Bareli, Sonia Gandhi’s former Lok Sabha seat.

Dispelling insinuations of servitude to the Gandhis, Sharma clarified that his candidacy was endorsed by the party’s high command, highlighting his long-standing association with the Youth Congress since his arrival in Amethi from Punjab in 1983. Sharma emphasized his role as a politician, asserting that he wasn’t on the Congress payroll and had not served the Gandhi family professionally.

With Amethi historically being a Congress bastion until Smriti Irani’s victory over Rahul Gandhi in 2019, Sharma exuded confidence in his ability to reclaim the constituency for the Congress. He dismissed BJP claims of Rahul Gandhi’s absence in Amethi as a fear of defeat, reiterating his commitment to challenging Irani in the upcoming elections.

Sharma criticised the BJP for allegedly manipulating the media to deflect attention from substantive issues, accusing the ruling party of failing to deliver on its promises made in 2014. Sharma’s allegiance to the Gandhi family is well-documented, having previously managed the political affairs of Amethi and Rae Bareli in their absence.

As the electoral battle heats up in Amethi, Sharma’s candidacy symbolizes the Congress’s determination to regain lost ground and challenge the BJP’s dominance in the region.

BJP’s derogatory remark towards KL Sharma

BJP leader Dinesh Pratap Singh, who is contesting against Rahul Gandhi in Rae Bareli, recently made disparaging comments, suggesting that the Congress leader sent his subordinate to contest against Smriti Irani.

“Does Rahul Gandhi genuinely seek victory in Amethi and Raebareli? If so, why nominate his subordinate from Amethi for a Lok Sabha ticket? The Congress is poised to lose both Raebareli and Amethi,” Singh remarked.

Singh also accused Rahul Gandhi of evading the Amethi constituency.

Voting in Amethi and Rae Bareli is scheduled for May 20.