Congress picks Rahul Gandhi from Raebareli, KL Sharma from Amethi
What's the story
After weeks of deliberations and talks, the Congress on Friday named Rahul Gandhi as its candidate from the traditional Gandhi family seat of Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh. In its announcement, the Congress also nominated Kishori Lal Sharma, a prominent figure associated with the Nehru-Gandhi family for more than two decades, as its candidate from Amethi.
May 20 polls
Both candidates to file nomination papers today
Both the candidates will file their nomination papers today—the last day for the seats to go to polls on May 20 in the fifth phase of the seven-phase general elections. Rahul is also running for re-election from Wayanad in Kerala. Notably, since Independence, the Congress has suffered defeat in Amethi and Rae Bareli only on three occasions.
Background
Congress's history in Amethi, Raebareli
The two seats have long association with the Nehru-Gandhi family. Former Prime Ministers Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, Indira's son and Congress leader Sanjay Gandhi, former party presidents Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders Feroze Gandhi and Arun Nehru have all got elected from either of these two seats in their political career.
2019 polls
Raebareli and Amethi contests in 2019
Rahul represented the Amethi seat from 2004, serving as its MP for three consecutive terms until 2019 when he was defeated by the Bharatiya Janata Party's Smriti Irani—who is seeking re-election in 2024. Separately, ahead of the elections, Sonia, the MP for Raebareli, announced that due to health concerns and age, she would not be contesting this time.
Raebareli seat
'Priyanka reluctant to contest Lok Sabha polls'
According to reports, Rahul and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had a discussion over the two seats in Karnataka, where they were together to address a campaign rally. Some leaders had claimed that since Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was reluctant to contest the Lok Sabha election, Rahul agreed to enter the fray from Raebareli.
BJP pick
BJP repeats 2019 pick Dinesh Pratap Singh from Raebareli
On Thursday, the BJP announced the name of Uttar Pradesh Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh as their candidate for the Raebareli parliamentary constituency. In the 2019 elections, Singh contested for the same seat but was defeated by Sonia. Despite his defeat in the 2019 Raebareli election, Singh set a record for receiving the highest number of votes by any BJP candidate ever.