The Hindu : Front Page : 'Emotional moment' at Amethi

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Tuesday, Apr 06, 2004

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Front Page

'Emotional moment' at Amethi

By K.V. Prasad

The Congress candidate in Amethi, Rahul Gandhi, gets a helping hand from his sister, Priyanka, while filing his nomination papers on Monday. His mother and party president, Sonia Gandhi, is beside him. — Photo: Akhilesh Kumar

SULTANPUR (U.P), APRIL 5. Rahul Gandhi today took the first formal step to electoral politics by filing his nomination for the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency here, an occasion that was described by his mother and Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, as an "emotional moment.''

Making his way through hundreds of enthusiastic supporters who waited patiently for hours outside the District Magistrate's office here, Rahul Gandhi entered the returning officer's room 40 minutes before the close of nomination time at 3 p.m.

Attired in traditional kurta-pyjama complete with an `angavastram,' — a la Rajiv style — Rahul arrived along with his mother, sister Priyanaka, brother-in-law Robert Vadra and top U.P. Congress leaders. Waiting to receive him in the hall was the former Union Minister, Sanjay Singh, and his wife, Amita Singh, and family loyalist Satish Sharma.

Earlier, Mr. Sharma had filed his nomination for the Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency while Amita Singh did so for the Amethi Assembly byelection against a vacancy caused by her resignation from the House after she switched over to the Congress from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The impressive turnout of supporters right from Chilloli, a constituency that falls under the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency was a clear indication of the eagerness of the people to have a glimpse of the family of Rajiv Gandhi. Enthusiastic supporters showered rose petals on the vehicles in which they travelled the nearly 150 km from Lucknow airport to Sultanpur.

An occasional wave and cheer gave way to brief interactions at some points before the cavalcade finally reached the office of the District Magistrate, Suresh Sharma. Joining the latter were at least three observers from the Election Commission and the media contingent that turned out in full strength.

Appearing rather reluctant to meet the media after filing his papers, Rahul agreed for a brief interaction after Sonia Gandhi made it clear that "this is no press conference.''

Responding to questions, Rahul said he had made a beginning from Amethi and would concentrate on the constituency, a point that was emphasised by the Congress president a day after the party declared his candidature.

Asked how he felt contesting a seat once represented by his father, Rahul said that as far he was concerned he was looking forward to completing the task of his father, who for him could never be dead.

After coming out of the District Magistrate's office, Rahul and Priyanka, climbing onto the roof of their vehicle while Sonia Gandhi standing on the chassis ridge reached out to the people who had occupied every available space both on the road and the buildings around the complex.

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