Kerala Congress: Rahul Gandhi to Give Up Wayanad Seat?

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi won two seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections: Wayanad in Kerala and Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh. However, he is expected to give up one of these seats soon. The chief of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), K Sudhakaran, has strongly suggested that Gandhi will probably give up the Wayanad seat.

During a public gathering on Wednesday, Sudhakaran hinted that Rahul Gandhi could continue to hold the Raebareli constituency. He said that the people of Kerala “should not be saddened” as Gandhi cannot be “expected to remain” in Wayanad.

He added, “We should not be saddened as Rahul Gandhi who is supposed to lead the nation cannot be expected to remain in Wayanad. Therefore, we should not be sad. Everyone should understand that and give all their wishes and support to him.”

During a public gathering in Edavanna, Malappuram, Rahul Gandhi expressed his uncertainty about which seat to give up, stating that whichever seat he chooses to keep, both constituencies will be satisfied with his decision.

The Congress leader said, “I have a dilemma before me, whether I should be the MP of Wayanad or of Rae Bareli. What I will commit to you is that both Wayand and Raebareli will be happy with my decision.”

As per the Representation of People Act, a candidate is allowed to run for elections in two Lok Sabha constituencies, but they can only hold one seat simultaneously. The regulations state that the candidate must make a decision within two weeks from the date the results are declared regarding which seat they wish to retain.

The Lok Sabha election results were declared on June 4. Rahul Gandhi needs to announce his final decision before June 18. In the 2019 elections, he contested from Amethi and Wayanad but lost in Amethi. In the 2024 elections, he won from both Wayanad and Raebareli, although his margin of victory in Wayanad was smaller than in 2019.