Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been campaigning extensively for the Congress
New Delhi:
The Congress’s announcement of candidates for its two status seats, Amethi and Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, has successfully put the lid on hypothesis concerning senior occasion chief Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s electoral debut.
According to sources within the occasion, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had requested Ms Gandhi Vadra to contest from Amethi or Rae Bareli, however she refused. Behind her reluctance, sources stated, was the truth that a victory for her and her brother Rahul Gandhi would put three members of the Gandhi household in Parliament — mom Sonia Gandhi is now in Rajya Sabha. This would reinforce the BJP’s cost of dynastic politics, she reasoned, in response to sources within the occasion.
Some leaders, nevertheless, concern that her resolution could create a adverse notion amongst voters. Ms Gandhi Vadra has been campaigning extensively and has been the face of the Congress’s counterstrike after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘mangalsutra’ cost on the Grand Old occasion. Many really feel that the Congress may have benefited from her star energy if she contested the polls.
The Congress’s much-awaited resolution on these two seats got here early this morning. A large shock was Rahul Gandhi being fielded from Rae Bareli, and never Amethi, which he has represented thrice in Lok Sabha. For Amethi, the Congress selected Kishori Lal Sharma, a long-time loyalist of the Gandhis. Mr Sharma, who has earlier labored as Sonia Gandhi’s consultant in Rae Bareli, will likely be contesting his first election.
Both Rahul Gandhi, who can also be contesting from Kerala’s Wayanad, and Mr Sharma will likely be submitting their nomination immediately. Amethi and Rae Bareli will vote within the fifth section of Lok Sabha polls on May 20.
Mr Gandhi will tackle the BJP’s Dinesh Pratap Singh in Rae Bareli and Mr Sharma is up towards Union Minister Smriti Irani in Amethi. Ms Irani had scored a shock win towards Mr Gandhi within the 2019 polls and has been campaigning extensively within the constituency.
Congress leaders are assured that Mr Gandhi will publish a thumping win in Rae Bareli. For Amethi, they are saying that Mr Sharma is a grassroots chief who will carry out effectively.
Ms Gandhi Vadra took to social media to increase her greetings to Mr Sharma. “Kishori Lal Sharma shares a bond with our family. He has been dedicated to serving the people of Amethi and Rae Bareli. His zeal for public service is an example,” she stated.
“It is heartening that the Congress has named him its candidate from Amethi. His dedication and sense of duty will surely bring him success in this election,” she posted on X.
The BJP has taken a swipe at Rahul Gandhi over the Congress’s transfer to modify him from Amethi to Rae Bareli.
Party spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill stated the Congress is now “addicted to daydreaming”. “Rahul Gandhi’s decision to not contest in Amethi shows that the Congress campaigns lacks confidence. Instead of leading the fight like a responsible general, he is behaving like a runaway soldier,” he stated.