With just 24 hours left until the nomination deadline, the Congress party is poised to end the suspense surrounding its candidates for the key Lok Sabha constituencies of Amethi and Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to make the announcement today, amid widespread speculation on the potential candidature of Rahul Gandhi for Amethi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for Raebareli.
Rahul Gandhi, who suffered a surprising defeat in Amethi to BJP’s Smriti Irani in 2019, is rumored to be considering a run again from the constituency along with his current seat in Kerala’s Wayanad. Meanwhile, there are anticipations of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s entry into electoral politics from Raebareli, a seat held by Sonia Gandhi since 2004. However, there are internal party discussions about the implications of fielding all three members of the Gandhi family due to concerns about the perception of dynastic politics, a frequent criticism levied by the BJP.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh reassured on Wednesday that the party is not deterred by these discussions, and the final decisions are now up to the Central Election Committee (CEC). Congress leader Rajeev Shukla highlighted the enduring popularity of the Gandhi family, noting significant public attendance at their rallies.
Amethi and Raebareli have been historical strongholds for the Gandhi family, with Rahul Gandhi representing Amethi since 2004 until his defeat in 2019, and Sonia Gandhi serving as the MP from Raebareli from 2004 to 2024. The decision on these candidacies is crucial as the Congress contests 17 of Uttar Pradesh’s 80 Lok Sabha seats, in alliance with the Samajwadi Party and other regional groups, aiming to bolster the opposition INDIA bloc in the upcoming elections.
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