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The Congress party is set to put an end to the suspense surrounding its candidates for the prestigious Amethi and Raebareli constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. The Central Election Committee (CEC) of the party has delegated authority to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to make the decision, with an announcement expected within the next 24 hours, according to party leader Jairam Ramesh.
Addressing the ongoing anticipation, Ramesh emphasized, “Nobody is scared, no one is running away.”
The delay in naming candidates for Amethi and Raebareli had prompted protests from Congress workers in Amethi, who expressed their discontent outside the party office. Their chants of “Amethi mange Gandhi parivar (Amethi demands the Gandhi family)” underscored the desire for a strong Congress representation in these constituencies.
Speculation has been rife regarding the potential candidates, with suggestions that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi might contest from Amethi again, alongside his candidacy in Kerala’s Wayanad, as he did in the previous Lok Sabha elections. For Raebareli, the name circulating prominently is that of Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, whose electoral debut is highly anticipated among party supporters.
Responding to the buzz surrounding the Gandhi family’s potential candidacies, Congress leader Rajeev Shukla highlighted that the decision ultimately lies with the CEC. He noted the immense popularity of the Gandhi family and the significant turnout at their public meetings, leaving the final decision in the hands of the committee.
The elections for both seats are scheduled for May 20, during the fifth phase of polling. In Uttar Pradesh, the Congress will contest 17 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats, while the remaining 63 seats will be contested by its ally, the Samajwadi Party, and other regional outfits.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Smriti Irani has filed her nomination from Amethi, expressing confidence in securing a second consecutive term. When asked about her preferred opponent between Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Irani stated, “I could not care less. Whoever comes will lose.”
