Absence of Priyanka Vadra Gandhi from the dais as well as that of Union Minister for Steel, Beni Prasad Verma during foundation laying ceremony of Railway Wheel Factory at lalganj in Rae Bareli raised many speculations to which none of the Congress leaders is ready to answer on record.
However, sources said that both were the much calculated moves of Sonia Gandhi. Congress president wanted to give a signal that Priyanka was just her representative to look after development work and Party organisation in her constituency and there is no plan to field her from the area during coming Parliament elections. Sources said that many news were spread in the last few years that Priyanka Gandhi, who is now making frequent visit to Rae Bareli and almost nursing the constituency single handedly would contest next Parliament elections.
The news also gathered strength following deteriorating health of Sonia Gandhi and that she almost stopped visiting her Parliament constituency. Not only this, the manner in which Priyanka Gandhi took interest in selection of the District Congress Committee in Rae Bareli, taking interviews directly and also giving them training through camps also supported that Priyanka is ready to take command from her mother. However, on Monday, Sonia seems to have tried to put a break to the above speculations by not giving platform to her daughter and letting her sit in the VVIP Gallery during foundation laying ceremony of Railway Wheel Factory.
Similarly Beni was reportedly kept away as the Congress President said to be not happy with the Union Minister particularly in the manner in which he targeted party leaders by making controversial remarks that they were on pay roll or working for Samajwadi Party and also for his unwanted comments of SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. Interestingly to avoid controversy about keeping away Beni, Railway minister Mallikarjun Kharge also not attended the function leaving Sonia alone to lay foundation stone. This is first function of any Central Government sponsored project in Rae Bareli or Amethi in which none of the minister concerned was present during foundation laying ceremony. Only on Monday, central minister was present with Rahul Gandhi when he laid foundation of Mega Food Park in his constituency at Amethi.
Sources further said that Beni was also kept away as Sonia wanted to cut his size besides to give a message that the union minister is having her blessings or support to attack Mulayam Singh Yadav or even Congress leaders. Interestingly, a senior Congress leader known to be close to Beni Prasad Verma, and is also an aspirant for Congress ticket for Parliament elections from lucknow, tried to defend the Union Minister. ``Beni was called by Rahul Gandhi for a meeting at New Delhi at 4pm on Tuesday hence he had no option but to skip the function at Rae Bareli", the leader said reportedly not just to clarify Beni’s absence but also to send a signal that Union Minister was still close to Gandhi’s family.