Lok Sabha polls 2014: Sonia in Rae Bareli and Modi as Prime Minister is what local RSS president wishes

LUCKNOW: On her turf Rae Bareli, Sonia Gandhi is getting support from unexpected quarters. Rooting for her this time is RSS ideologue and former district VHP president, Sheetla Shankar Mishra.
There is a sharp contrast between Mishra's caller tune sermonizing Ram Rajya and his SMS seeking support for Sonia.

"Apni jaanchi parkhi Soniaji hain na phir humein kisi bahari se kya matlab? Congress jitao, vikas karao. Soniaji ka saath nibhao (Why should we be bothered about outsiders when we have our own Soniaji)," says his SMS circulating in Rae Bareli.

Mishra's message is believed to be directed against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Ajay Agrawal, a Supreme Court lawyer from Chandausi.

But Mishra said he was supporting Sonia as an individual. "A party or political affiliation should not limit one's choice. I feel what Sonia has done for Rae Bareli nobody could have done. In five years, Rae Bareli would be an example for others to emulate.''

He has a history of crossing ideological barriers. During his stint as Vishwa Hindu Parishad district president two years back, Misra had supported Samajwadi Party's Manoj Pandey in the 2012 assembly elections. Mishra said Pandey was his student.

Asked whether this led to his expulsion from the VHP post, Mishra said it was not the case and that he is still invited to all party functions.

"The organization was giving me other responsibilities. But I wanted to give it up. I wanted time off for self-study," he said.

On whether his support to Sonia was going down well with his outfit, Mishra said, "One should first think of one's own good. If I think Soniaji will do well for me, my home and family, why should my organization feel ant resentment?"

Mishra, a self-proclaimed RSS ideologue, said he does not agree with the Congress's ideology.

"I support the view of the BJP when it comes to national interest, national security and the Ram temple. I want (Narendra) Mod as Prime Minister but Soniaji as MP," he said.