Rahul Gandhi considered Amethi his family, loss has pained him: Raj Babbar

Lucknow, UP Congress chief Raj Babbar Monday said the poor electoral showing of the party in the state has left pain in the hearts of party president Rahul Gandhi and the people of Amethi. 

In his first interview after the election results, Babbar said Gandhi considered Amethi not just as his parliamentary constituency, but his family.The Gandhi scion lost to BJP's Smriti Irani from the constituency in the recently-held general elections.  

"Rahul Gandhi ji did so much for Amethi and he considered Amethi as his family. He never viewed it as his constituency. Now, the family members have given such a verdict," the UP Congress chief told PTI. 

"One thing, which I am 100 per cent sure is the fact that despite becoming an MP (from Wayanad), there will be pain in the heart of Rahul ji and also among the people of Amethi... that a person who considered Amethi as his family and gave an identity to Amethi, we did not allow a person from our family to emerge (victorious)," he said. 

READ: The fall of Amethi - why Rahul Gandhi lost?

On whether Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was appointed Congress general secretary in charge of eastern UP ahead of the polls, could not make the desired impact for the party, the  actor-turned-politician said party workers and local leaders failed to rise to the occasion.  

"She (Priyanka) did her job. But, party workers, local leaders, candidates and the organisation could not accumulate the (electoral) benefits from it. Rahul ji worked so hard and Priyanka ji worked with such a high degree of enthusiasm," he said. 

"We (party workers, local leaders and candidates) were unable to prove ourselves and rise to the occasion," Babbar said. 

Asked about the future course of action, the 66-year-old Congress leader said Uttar Pradesh cannot be analysed in a single line.

READ: Modi Cabinet 2.0: Smriti Irani Appointed As Minister Of Women And Child Development After Her Massive Win From Amethi, Retains Ministry Of Textiles As Well