Rehan Vadra: Baptism in public life? Amethi visit creates buzz

Following the footsteps of his maternal uncle and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi's son Rehan was on a surprise visit here during which he interacted and shared meals with villagers, creating a buzz in the high-profile constituency.
Rehan arrived here along with his friends by car on Tuesday and stayed overnight in the constituency, eyewitnesses and party sources said.
Like his maternal grandmother Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Rahul and Priyanka, the 14-year-old mingled with villagers and sought to know more about their life, they said.
Accompanied by Nilesh Jain and K S Yadav of Rajiv Gandhi Mahila Vikas Project, Rehan and his friends reached the house of Ram Kripal Pandey of Kauhar in Gauriganj area on Tuesday night, taking villagers by surprise.

He ate 'dal, chawal, sabzi and roti' at a villager's house, took a tour of the village and interacted with villagers on different issues including rural lifestyle, said a local resident.
They had an ordinary vegetarian meal sitting on wooden cots and spent the night in the open on simple beds protected by mosquito nets.

Later they went to guest house of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital at Munshiganj and also met people there.
Usually, members of Gandhi-Nehru family stay at this guest house.
Rehan left Amethi after a short visit.
There was no official word from the Congress or the district administration on the visit. However, it left many wondering whether this was his baptism in public life.

Priyanka Gandhi is a frequent visitor to the constituency, represented by Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi.
"The visit shows Amethi is important for them and the family has had an affectionate relation with people here," said a Congress worker.