Priyanka introduces Arun Nehru’s daughter in Sareni

Many old-timers went down the memory lane as Priyanka told them that Avantika was the daughter of the late Arun Nehru, who once represented the seat in the Lok Sabha.

When Congress general secretary (east UP) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra introduced Avantika Nehru to the crowd at a public meeting at Sareni in Rae Bareli on Friday it was a routine affair.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during an election campaign in Rae Bareli. (HT Photo)

Yet, many old-timers went down the memory lane as Priyanka told them that Avantika was the daughter of the late Arun Nehru, who once represented the seat in the Lok Sabha.

“Avantika Nehru is my sister and the daughter of former MP the late Arun Nehru,” Priyanka said at the public meeting that Sonia Gandhi addressed in her constituency.

“Yes, I remember she is the daughter of the late Arun Nehru, who once contested against the Gandhi family friend Captain Satish Sharma,” said an elderly person.

Although the remark from the audience was spontaneous, many senior Congress leaders of Rae Bareli recalled Priyanka’s oratory skills at her first public meeting in Rae Bareli in 1999.

“Yes, in 1999, Captain Satish Sharma was the Congress candidate from the seat. The BJP had fielded Arun Nehru. When campaigning was about to end, Priyanka Gandhi addressed a public meeting and gave a fiery speech in Rae Bareli,” said senior Congress leader Indresh Vikram Singh.

“Priyanka Gandhi’s speech turned the election in favour of Captain Satish Sharma, who was otherwise facing a tough time in Rae Bareli,” said Singh, adding, “When I saw Avantika Nehru with Priyanka, I did not recognize her. She may have been a child when the late Arun Nehru represented Rae Bareli as the Congress MP. Her mother used to come with Arun Nehru to our house.”

Most other party leaders either recollected Priyanka’s first speech or had heard about it from their family members.

“Yes, my father the late Kunwar Hari Narain Singh told me about this. I was studying when it happened,” said Congress leader Ajay Pal Singh.

Former Prime Minister the late Indira Gandhi had won the Rae Bareli seat first in 1967. She continued to represent the same constituency in the Lok Sabha till she lost the seat to Raj Narain in the 1977 Lok Sabha elections. “In 1980, Indira Gandhi had won from Rae Bareli and Medak (Telangana) Lok Sabha seats. She retained Medak and resigned from Rae Bareli. Later, Arun Nehru won the by-election for the seat in 1980 and won again later in 1984 (general election),” said another Congress leader.