The Congress’s candidates for the Amethi and Raebareli constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, which have long been seen as Nehru-Gandhi family strongholds, remain unclear as the deadline for Phase 5 nominations in the Lok Sabha elections draws near.
Rahul Gandhi, who is now running for Congress from Wayanad in Kerala, is reportedly planning to run from Amethi as well, a seat he lost to Union Minister Smriti Irani in 2019. Thursday is anticipated to be his official announcement, and nominations are due on Friday.
Amidst discussions among Congress leaders and its allies in the INDIA bloc, it’s proposed that Rahul contest Amethi while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra be nominated from Raebareli. The Samajwadi Party (SP), in talks with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, sees potential electoral gains with both Rahul and Priyanka entering the fray.
Kharge has reportedly expressed favor for Rahul and Priyanka’s candidature from Amethi and Raebareli, respectively, although both siblings seem hesitant. Nevertheless, Kharge insists at least one of them should contest.
In a recent party meeting, the Congress’ UP unit formally proposed members of the Gandhi family as candidates for Amethi and Raebareli, deferring the final decision to Kharge.
Despite expectations and preparations, the Congress is yet to issue an official statement regarding its nominees for these constituencies, once considered its bastions.
Jairam Ramesh, senior Congress leader, stated that the Central Election Committee (CEC) has entrusted Mallikarjun Kharge with the final decision on Amethi and Raebareli candidates, expecting an announcement within the next 24 to 30 hours.
In the ongoing seat-sharing deal with the SP, the Congress is contesting 17 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, having finalized candidates for all but Amethi and Raebareli.
The fifth phase of polling in Amethi is scheduled for May 20, with the nomination deadline set for May 3.
Rahul’s loss in Amethi, once a Congress stronghold, in 2019 to Irani was considered a significant setback. Previously, Rahul, his father Rajiv Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi had represented Amethi in the Lok Sabha. Currently, Rahul represents Wayanad, while Irani seeks re-election from Amethi.