Sonia, the invincible queen of Raebareli

Raebareli: When Priyanka Gandhi Vadra cruised into Ghantaghar Chauraha area in Raebareli on Friday evening as a part of her last road show in her mother Sonia Gandhi's constituency, it was traders who gathered in large numbers to greet her.

They threw colourful garlands made of marigold, bouquets with rose flowers at her and shouted slogans praising the Gandhi family and deriding 'the dangerous Modi regime'.

Sitting atop her campaign vehicle, Vadra, Congress' star campaigner and sister of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, waved to the crowds enthusiastically, accepted garlands thrown at her with smile, greeted them with folded hands, wore a headgear made in Congress Party colours offered by an ardent supporter and didn't disappoint a girl who sat on a makeshift platform to offer her a garland of flowers.

As her long cavalcade moved on, the traders raised their pitch and continued their slogan-shouting with more vigour.

It is not known whether she was aware of the presence of traders in that gathering. But their presence should please the younger Nehru-Gandhi scion as it signals changing dynamics in India's political landscape.

It is an undeniable truth that traders played key role in the phenomenal rise of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the last 30 years. From a party with just two Lok Sabha seats in 1984, BJP has now replaced Congress as the country's biggest political party with a Lok Sabha tally of 282 seats in 2014.

But the demonetisation of high value currency notes implemented by the Modi Government in November 2016 had undoubtedly taken a heavy toll on them. They suffered another big jolt when the central government hurriedly implemented GST a few months later.

"Trading community has always supported BJP. But GST and new hallmark conditions have come as death blows for us. We will have to see how BJP will do well without the support of traders", Shiva Narayana Soni, president of a traders' body in Raebareli, told The Hans India a couple of hours before Priyanka's road show arrived at Ghantaghar Chauraha.

He along with other traders later welcomed the charismatic Congress leader with drums.

Asked about election scenario in Raebareli where Sonia Gandhi, who played a key role in the formation of two Congress-led UPA governments at the Centre in 2004 and 2009, is seeking fourth consecutive term as MP, he said the Congress leader would romp home hands down.

"She will win with a massive margin of five lakh votes this time while the BJP candidate will not get more than 1.5 lakh votes", he said. With SP-BSP combine not fielding its candidate, it is a two-way contest between Sonia and her BJP rival Dinesh Pratap Singh, a former Congress MLC, who switched loyalties to BJP recently. The high-profile constituency will vote on May 6 in fifth phase.

Raebareli's association with the Gandhi family began in 1957 when Feroze Gandhi, husband of three-time Prime Minister Indira Gandhi won as MP. Indira Gandhi won from here in 1967 and 1971 with a massive majority, when she was Prime Minister. During that period, she carefully nurtured the constituency into a family bastion.

Locals attribute railway connectivity, underground drainage, local airport and a host of educational institutions to her.

Sonia contested in Raebareli for the first in 2004, leaving another family pocket borough Amethi to her son Rahul Gandhi. She secured a majority of 2.49 lakh in that election. Sonia retained the seat with 3.72 lakh margin in 2009 and 3.52 lakh margin in 2014.

"Raebareli has 40 government educational institutes and six national highways pass through this district. We have good roads, excellent infrastructure and an airport. All this is because of Gandhi family and Congress.

There is no question of voting for other parties when Soniaji is in fray from here. She will get highest ever majority this time. We always vote for Congress", said Bhallu, a private employee. Like in the past, Priyanka who resembles her grandmother Indira in looks and behaviour spearheaded her mother's campaign this time too.

With victory a foregone conclusion, will her efforts and strategic acumen fetch her mother a record margin this time? We will know that on May 23 when votes will be counted.