Amethi, political bastion of India's famous Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, was preparing Sunday to give a rousing welcome to 33-year-old Rahul Gandhi, son of assassinated premier Rajiv Gandhi, on his maiden poll tour.
Thousands of Congress party workers fanned out across the constituency in northern Uttar Pradesh state, decorating streets for Gandhi's visit, his first since his decision to stand in five-phase general elections starting April 20.
Rahul's mother, Sonia Gandhi, leader of India's main opposition Congress party, currently holds the Amethi seat, the favourite of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty since 1980.
"We feel as if Rajiv Gandhi is back among the people of Amethi. We are emotionally overwhelmed by the significance of the occasion," said Ashok Tripathi, a senior Congress official in Amethi.
"We have not spread the word around too much about his visit as we fear that all the streets will get choked by the crowd turnout. He will do a whistle-stop tour by road of all the villages and talk to people along the way," said Tripathi.
Rahul, 33, a financial consultant, bears a striking resemblance to his slain father who in 1991 was killed by a female suicide bomber.
Congress workers say Rahul's decision to contest the elections has revived memories of how Rajiv would freely mingle with locals.
"Once a poor farmer from here, who was deeply upset because his two mango trees had been cut, poured his heart out to Rajiv after police refused to register a complaint," said Tripathi.
"Despite being a prime minister, he gave him a patient hearing and then ordered immediate compensation. Can anyone from here forget such love? Rahul's visit has stirred hopes that we will see those days again."
During his tenure as premier, Rajiv Gandhi rewarded the loyalty of the people of Amethi liberally with schools, colleges, hospitals and factories.
Sonia Gandhi has also nurtured the constituency carefully and pays a visit every three months, according to the Congress workers.
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