Amethi sticks to unique tradition, dhobi casts first vote

72–year-old washerman, Pancham Lal, who is accorded 'VIP' status on polling days, was the first to cast his vote in the erstwhile princely state. Sharat Pradhan reports

Better known as the family bastion of Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, Amethi follows a unique tradition. And in keeping with that tradition, polling began at the Ram Nagar primary school polling centre on Wednesday morning only after the local 'dhobi' cast his vote.

While the polling centre opened on the dot of 7 am, everyone waited for 72–year-old Pancham Lal, who is accorded 'VIP' status on all polling days, in what was once upon a time a princely state. His wife Chandra Kala too remains a privileged, and cast her vote just after her husband.

"I have enjoyed this privilege ever since I was entitled to vote many many years ago," Pancham Lal told anxious mediapersons.

Even Amethi's former prince and now Sultanpur Congress MP Sanjay Singh made it a point to give way to the 'dhobi'. But of course, Sanjay Singh and his wife Amita Singh remained right behind the washerman to keep up the tradition.

Amethi remains a prestige issue for the Congress, since it has held this seat for decades. Sanjay Gandhi (son of Indira Gandhi) was the first to contest from here in 1975 and 1977, followed by former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1981. Soon after his death it was his pilot friend Satish Sharma who held the baton from here. Shortly thereafter, Sonia Gandhi got elected from Amethi until she handed the constituency over to Rahul Gandhi in 2002.