Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to announce the candidates…
On Thursday, 02 May 2024, Congress candidates for the Amethi and Raebareli Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be announced, just one day before the nomination deadline.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to announce the candidates for the two seats.
Rahul Gandhi faced an unexpected defeat in Amethi to BJP's Smriti Irani in 2019.
It is expected to contest from there again, possibly alongside his current constituency, Kerala's Wayanad.
For Raebareli, held by Sonia Gandhi since 2004, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's entry into electoral politics is anticipated, however, discussions within the party suggest a hesitancy towards fielding all three Gandhi family members in parliament, considering the "dynastic politics" charge that the BJP often subjects to the party.
Despite the delay in this big announcement, Congress leaders reassured that the party is not deterred. Senior party leader Jairam Ramesh said there is no fear and discussions are happening in the party. The last date for nominations is May 3.
"The Gandhi family is prevalent and lakhs of people are coming to their public meetings. The decision has been now left to the CEC," Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said.
The Amethi constituency had been synonymous with the Gandhi family's political legacy, represented by Rahul Gandhi since 2004 until his defeat in 2019.
Similarly, Raebareli has been the stronghold of the Gandhi family, with Sonia Gandhi representing it from 2004 to 2024.
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