New Delhi:
The suspense over Congress candidates for Amethi and Raebareli Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will end today, just a day before the nomination deadline. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to announce the candidates for the two seats today.
Speculations are rife about the candidature of former party president Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for Amethi and Raebareli respectively. Rahul Gandhi, who suffered an unexpected defeat in Amethi in 2019 against the BJP's Smriti Irani, is expected to contest again from there, possibly alongside his current constituency, Kerala's Wayanad.
For Raebareli, which has been held by Sonia Gandhi since 2004, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's entry into electoral politics is expected. However, discussions within the party indicate that there is hesitation to include all three Gandhi family members in Parliament given the 'dynastic politics' accusation that the party is biased. often subjected to by the BJP.
Despite the delay in the announcement, Congress leaders on Wednesday assured that the party will not be deterred. Senior party leader Jairam Ramesh said there is no fear and discussions are on. The last date for nominations is tomorrow (May 3).
“The Gandhi family is very popular and millions of people come to their public meetings. The decision will now be left to the CEC,” Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said.
The Amethi constituency was synonymous with the political legacy of the Gandhi family, represented by Rahul Gandhi since 2004 until his defeat in 2019. Similarly, Raebareli was the stronghold of the Gandhi family, with Sonia Gandhi representing the family from 2004 to 2024.
Feroze Gandhi, Indira Gandhi's husband and Congress leader, triumphed twice from Raebareli in 1952 and 1957. Arun Nehru, grandnephew of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, secured poll victories in 1980 and in 1984. Sheila Kaul, Jawaharlal Nehru's sister-in-law , won victories in 1989 and 1991. Members of the Nehru-Gandhi family abstained from contesting the seat only twice, in 1962 and 1999.
With the Congress contesting 17 of UP's 80 Lok Sabha seats in alliance with the Samajwadi Party and other regional groups, the selection of candidates for these key constituencies is of utmost importance for the opposition INDIA bloc.