Robert Vadra hints at Amethi contest, says 'people expect me to represent...'

Robert Vadra, husband of Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has hinted at joining active politics, saying that the people of Amethi expect him to make his political debut from the constituency.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Vadra said that the people of Amethi are upset with sitting MP Smriti Irani and want a member of the Gandhi family to return.

"Whoever represents Rae Bareli or Amethi must work for the progress of people, their security and should not play politics of discrimination. The people of Amethi are very upset with their current Member of Parliament," Vadra said.

"They believe that they made a mistake as she doesn't visit (her constituency) often. She does not think about the progress of the area. She only cares about levelling accusations against the Gandhi family, demeaning them and misusing her power," he added.

Vadra further said that for years, the Gandhi family has worked hard for the people of Amethi, Rae Bareli, Sultanpur, and Jagdishpur.

"People of Amethi feel that they made a mistake by electing Smriti Irani and want a Gandhi family member to return. In fact, they even expect me to represent their constituency if I decide to become a Member of Parliament," Vadra said.

"People know how much effort we made... They connect with me on social media, meet me outside my office, celebrate my birthday," he added.

This is not the first time Robert Vadra has hinted at joining politics.

In July 2022, Vadra said he would consider joining active politics if people would want that. His remarks came after the then Congress president and his mother-in-law Sonia Gandhi was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case related to the National Herald newspaper.

The Congress is yet to reveal its candidates on party strongholds Rae Bareli and Amethi. While there is a buzz that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra could contest from Rae Bareli, party workers are expecting Rahul Gandhi to return to Amethi.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP's Smriti Irani defeated Rahul Gandhi from Amethi, a seat which he had represented for 15 years.