Kishori Lal Sharma: Congress' Amethi Lok Sabha Candidate

The Congress party has officially named Kishori Lal Sharma as its Lok Sabha candidate from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, ending weeks of speculation. Sharma will face off against BJP's Smriti Irani, who defeated Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 elections by a significant margin.

Sharma's nomination comes as Rahul Gandhi gears up to file his nomination papers from Rae Bareli, the neighbouring constituency. With Rahul's loss in 2019 disrupting the Gandhi family's hold over Amethi, Sharma's candidacy is seen as an election strategy to regain ground in the region.

Kishori Lal Sharma, originally from Ludhiana, Punjab, has a strong connection to the Gandhi family. He has served as a manager for the Congress party and Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli. Sharma's involvement in Amethi dates back to 1983 when he first became active in Indian politics.

Throughout the late 1980s and onwards, Sharma worked closely with Rajiv Gandhi, playing a vital role in managing the political affairs of RaeBareli and Amethi. After Rajiv Gandhi's tragic assassination in 1991, Sharma continued his role and played a significant part in Sonia Gandhi's successful electoral campaigns.

Despite Amethi constituency traditionally being a Gandhi family stronghold, Sharma faces a tough challenge following Rahul Gandhi's defeat. However, his popularity in the constituency is notable, thanks to his efforts in improving infrastructure and advocating for better connectivity.

Sharma's dedication to the Congress party extends beyond Uttar Pradesh, with contributions to party efforts in Bihar and Punjab. His nomination reflects the party's strategy in key regions across India.

Polling in Amethi is scheduled for the fifth phase on May 20, with the Congress contesting 17 out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. The remaining seats will see candidates from the Samajwadi Party and other smaller allies under the INDIA bloc.