Early Life and Family Background of Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi, the son of the Late Rajiv Gandhi and former UPA President Sonia Gandhi, was born on June 19, 1970, in Delhi, India. He hails from a prominent political family, with lineage tracing back to Feroz Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and Sanjay Gandhi. As a child raised by his mother, Rahul had a sheltered upbringing, shielded from the public eye. He has a sister named Priyanka Vadra, who is married to businessman Robert Vadra.
Educational Journey and Commitment to Public Service
Rahul Gandhi’s educational journey took him to esteemed institutions such as St. Columba’s School, The Doon School, St. Stephen’s College, Harvard University, Rollins College, and Trinity College, Cambridge. Due to security concerns following the assassinations of his grandmother and father, he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Rollins College under the pseudonym “Rahul Vinci.”
Rahul’s dedication to public service is evident through his involvement in various social organizations, including the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Trust, Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust, and Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust. He also runs a non-profit eye care provider in Uttar Pradesh. Notably, during the 2009 Lok Sabha Elections, Rahul Gandhi showcased his commitment by conducting an impressive 125 rallies across the country within just six weeks.
Rahul Gandhi: Political Journey and Impact
Early Political Career and Leadership Roles
Rahul Gandhi’s political journey began in 2004 when he won his first Lok Sabha election from the Amethi constituency in Uttar Pradesh. After joining the Indian National Congress, he became a member and participated in its activities, on various responsibilities within the party, including the positions of General Secretary and Vice-President. Rahul has advocated for the underprivileged and economically backward sections of society.
Party Presidency and Resignation
Lok Sabha elections were held in 2014 and 2019. He retained Amethi’s seat. However, he faced defeat in the 2019 election in the same constituency at the hands of BJP’s Smriti Irani. Due to the Congress party’s poor performance in the general elections, Rahul Gandhi resigned as the party president in 2019. He also served as an MP from the Wayanad constituency in Kerala until March 24, 2023, when he was disqualified from the Lok Sabha due to a casteist defamation case.
Notable Contributions and Interesting Facts
Beyond politics, Rahul Gandhi had a brief professional career in London and later established a technology outsourcing firm in Mumbai. He is known for his residence at 12 Tughlak Lane, New Delhi, and his association with the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust and the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Rahul Gandhi draws inspiration from his father, Rajiv Gandhi, and great-grandfather, Jawaharlal Nehru, and enjoys hobbies such as reading and traveling.
Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is currently engaged in his campaign titled ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’. Which has garnered significant attention and discussion. This new political move by Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by fresh faces, has become the talk of the town. Notably, he was recently seen walking alongside the former RBI governor. The campaign focuses on uniting the nation and rejuvenating the party’s political presence. Rahul Gandhi’s active involvement in this initiative showcases his dedication to connecting with the people and revitalizing the Congress party.
Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023
In the lead-up to the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections, major political parties like BJP, Congress, and JD(S) conducted vigorous campaigning with rallies and road shows. An opinion poll conducted by India TV-CNX projected that Congress would win 105 seats, followed by BJP with 85 seats. JD(S) was predicted to secure 32 seats, with two seats going to other parties.
According to the poll, Congress was expected to secure 40.32% of the seats, BJP 35-5%, and JD(S) 17.81%. In terms of caste and community support, Congress was projected to receive significant backing from Muslims (78%), Kurubas (75.3%), and SCs (40.56%). BJP was expected to gain strong support from Lingayats (75.8%), OBCs (51.7%), and STs (32.18%). JD(S) was likely to garner support from Vokkaligas (56%). Siddaramaiah from Congress emerged as the preferred chief ministerial candidate with 32.2% support.
Regional projections showed a potential tie in Greater Bengaluru, with 15 seats for BJP and Congress. Central Karnataka leaned towards BJP with 13 seats compared to Congress’s eight. Congress was projected to gain a majority in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region with 32 seats out of 40, while in Old Mysore, Congress was predicted to win 26 seats, JD(S) 28, and BJP 7. Coastal Karnataka was expected to favor BJP with 15 seats, and Congress securing 4 out of 19. BJP may win 29 seats in the Bombay Karnataka region, while Congress could secure 20 out of 50.
However, it’s important to note that opinion polls are not always accurate indicators of election results. In the 2018 elections, BJP secured 104 seats, Congress won 78, and JD(S) secured 37. Although the polls resulted in a hung assembly, the BJP formed the government. Eventually, Chief Minister Yeddyurappa resigned moments before the trust vote, forming a Congress-JD(S) coalition government. Visit this page to learn about details of Turkey elections 2023
Karnataka’s Next CM
The Congress party in Karnataka is currently in the process of deciding on the state’s next Chief Minister. Senior leaders DK Shivakumar, the Karnataka Congress president, and Siddaramaiah, former Chief Minister and opposition leader, are the leading contenders for the position. The party’s national president, Mallikarjun Kharge, has been responsible for choosing the next CM. He is expected to consult with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, review the report of the Congress central observers. And make an announcement from Bengaluru before making a final decision. Although party leaders are still deliberating and holding meetings, they have not yet decided.
