New Delhi: The anticipation surrounding the Congress’s nominees for the Amethi and Raebareli Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh is poised to conclude today, merely a day before the nomination deadline. It is anticipated that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will unveil the chosen candidates for both seats today.
There has been widespread speculation regarding the potential candidacy of former party president Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for the Amethi and Raebareli constituencies, respectively. Rahul Gandhi, who suffered an unexpected defeat in Amethi to BJP’s Smriti Irani in 2019, is expected to vie for the seat again, possibly alongside his current constituency, Kerala’s Wayanad.
For Raebareli, a bastion held by Sonia Gandhi since 2004, the entry of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra into electoral politics is anticipated. However, internal deliberations within the party suggest a reluctance to field all three members of the Gandhi family in parliament, given the recurrent criticism of “dynastic politics” leveled against the party by the BJP.
Despite the delay in the announcement, Congress leaders affirmed on Wednesday that the party remains undeterred. Senior party leader Jairam Ramesh emphasized that there is no cause for concern and discussions are ongoing. The deadline for nominations is tomorrow (May 3).
“The Gandhi family commands significant popularity, with throngs of people attending their public gatherings. The decision now rests with the CEC,” remarked Congress leader Rajeev Shukla.
The Amethi constituency has long been synonymous with the political legacy of the Gandhi family, represented by Rahul Gandhi since 2004 until his defeat in 2019. Similarly, Raebareli has served as the stronghold of the Gandhi family, with Sonia Gandhi representing it from 2004 to 2024.
Feroze Gandhi, Indira Gandhi’s husband and a Congress leader, emerged victorious twice from Raebareli in 1952 and 1957. Arun Nehru, the grandnephew of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, secured victories in a 1980 bypoll and in 1984. Sheila Kaul, Jawaharlal Nehru’s sister-in-law, clinched wins in 1989 and 1991. Members of the Nehru-Gandhi family refrained from contesting the seat on only two occasions, in 1962 and 1999.
With the Congress contesting 17 out of Uttar Pradesh’s 80 Lok Sabha seats in alliance with the Samajwadi Party and other regional outfits, the selection of candidates for these crucial constituencies holds immense significance for the opposition INDIA bloc.
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