Amethi: What the Gandhis can learn from Pawar and Gowda

Amethi: If the battle for Amethi is so tough this time, the Gandhis should blame themselves, not the BJP or AAP for their plight. It is a very well known fact that Amethi is one of the most backward Lok Sabha constituencies in India. The seat was earlier represented by Firoz Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and now Rahul Gandhi.

But, there has been no visible improvement in the ground situation. Amethi does not have proper drinking water supply, water for agriculture, proper roads, schools, colleges, employment opportunities, industries, power and many more things.

The Gandhis, the most powerful political family in India, could have turned Amethi into a very prosperous and developed constituency long ago. But they have done very little for their faithful electorate. If they had done a lot for Amethi, they would not be panicking now.

The Gandhis must learn the art of developing their bastions from other leaders like Sharad Pawar and HD Deve Gowda. Baramati in Maharashtra and Hassan in Karnataka have seen huge all round development over the years under Pawar and Gowda. Pawar and Gowda are no match to the Gandhis and it was not so easy for them to get everything done for their voters. With less resources and less government support, they have done a lot and cemented their position. They can now take on any wave or party in their seats because of the work they have done.

Compare it with Amethi or Rae Bareli. Both are still very backward and have seen no major developmental work. Opening one Railway coach factory, a flying school or a fashion institute won't help the majority of voters.

Without doing anything, they can't expect the voters to remain faithful forever. The talk of family's sacrifice for the nation etc can't get them votes all the time.

The Gandhis must realise that the all round development of a seat is like a fixed deposit in a bank. If they achieve that, they can live off the interest. Both the Gandhis and their advisors should be blamed for not making that 'fixed deposit' in the bank of the people.