Raebareli seat fell vacant for Congress this time as Congress matriarch Sonia Gandhi preferred to be in Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan instead of re-contesting Lok Sabha elections from her party’s stronghold Raebareli, which she had been representing since 2004.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is in two minds whether to contest her first election from her mother Sonia Gandhi’s Raebareli seat or from another constituency in coming Lok Sabha polls, it is learnt.
Raebareli seat fell vacant for Congress this time as Congress matriarch Sonia Gandhi preferred to be in Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan instead of re-contesting Lok Sabha elections from her party’s stronghold Raebareli, which she had been representing since 2004.
Actually, Congress is in a dilemma about who should be fielded from where. Within the party, there is also a suggestion that Rahul should contest from Raebareli and Priyanka from Amethi, the sources said.
If Rahul wins from Raebareli and Priyanka, for some reason, loses from Amethi, then she can enter Lok Sabha from Wayanad. Rahul’s candidacy for Wayanad has been officially announced by the Central Election Committee today. It means Rahul is set to contest from Wayanad.
Considering the political dynamics in Kerala, Rahul’s victory from Wayanad is being assumed. In the coming days, it will be seen where the party decides to field whom. However, it is certain that the BJP will leave no stone unturned to win not only Amethi but also Raebareli this time.
According to sources, Congress is not fully certain about winning any seat in Uttar Pradesh this time. There is even doubt about Amethi. However, after alliance with Samajwadi Party, the party is hopeful that the equations will change in Raebareli, as the SP has won four seats falling under Raebareli in the assembly elections.
In Uttar Pradesh, Congress is contesting on 17 out of total 80 seats in UP in alliance with the SP.
Although Priyanka Gandhi has not contested any elections so far, she has considerable experience in managing election campaigns.She remained on election tours with her father Rajiv Gandhi. After Rajiv Gandhi’s demise, Priyanka Gandhi maintained regular contact with the area along with her mother Sonia Gandhi. After Rahul Gandhi entered politics in 2004, Priyanka became active in Amethi after Raebareli. Even though Sonia Gandhi had filed nomination from Raebareli in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the actual election was contested by Priyanka Gandhi. She remained equally active on the seats of her mother and brother. Sonia Gandhi did win last elections but the victory margin reduced. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi lost the election from Amethi.
After that, in the 2022 state assembly elections, the party was completely routed. The vote percentage also decreased and came down to three. Priyanka Gandhi’s magic failed entirely in the assembly elections. Concerns for the party started to grow from here. The Congress in Uttar Pradesh not only failed but also saw a decline in its organizational strength. During this time, Sonia Gandhi reached the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan. After Sonia’s decision, pressure increased on Priyanka to contest the Lok Sabha election from Raebareli.
But questions also began to arise here about whether Priyanka would really contest the election from Raebareli. Because the question is not only about Priyanka contesting the election but also whether Rahul can win from Amethi this time. Because the victory or defeat of both siblings will determine the future of Congress politics. If Priyanka wins from Raebareli and Rahul loses from Amethi, then numerous questions will begin to arise in Congress politics. Priyanka’s stature within the Congress will significantly increase.
The hope of winning the Raebareli seat is also being considered because who knows if Sonia Gandhi’s emotional appeal can secure a victory.