Appreciating the confidence reposed in him by the party brass, Sharma said, “Amethi and Rae Bareli have always been my ‘karmbhoomi’ and this is a big opportunity for me to serve the people of Amethi.”
Priyanka Gandhi Take time out from attending Rahul Gandhi’s nomination filing in Rae Bareli to attend Sharma’s road show in Amethi. … I’m here to urge all of you to show him your love and vote for him,” Priyanka said.
He was the second non-Gandhi to be posted congress Amethi since 1980.
Sharma hails from Ludhiana in Amethi Shivaji Nagar district and was deeply influenced by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. It is said that he came to Amethi with Rajiv Gandhi in 1983, when he was in his early 20s.
A graduate of Punjab University, he quickly earned Rajiv’s trust. After Rajiv’s death, he teamed up with Satish Sharma and linked up with Sonia Gandhi when she made her political debut in 1999.
“Sonia knew the trust her husband had in Kishori Lal, who never let her down, especially after Rajiv’s death in 1991,” said Sharma’s contemporary Kalyan Kalyan Singh Gandhi recalled. In due course, due to his “people management” and “micro planning” skills, he was appointed in charge of Rae Bareli and Amethi seats.
Meanwhile, Amity’s nomination of Sharma has elicited mixed reactions. “We want Rahul Gandhi. KL Sharma may be important, but he is not family,” said SK Barnwal, owner of a local jewelry store.
“Guests are welcome. We will ensure they are given a good reception, but this shows that the family (Gandhi) has accepted defeat,” Irani said in Amethi.
