The suspense surrounding the Congress Party’s candidates for the prestigious Amethi and Raebareli constituencies in Uttar Pradesh is set to end soon, with an announcement expected within the next 24 hours.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh confirmed that the party’s Central Election Committee (CEC) has empowered Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to make a decision on the candidates for these crucial seats.
Addressing concerns over the delay, Ramesh emphasized that there was no fear or reluctance within the party. “Nobody is scared, no one is running away,” he assured.
The delay in announcing candidates for Amethi and Raebareli has sparked agitation among Congress workers, with protests held in Amethi demanding clarity on the party’s electoral strategy.
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During the protest, slogans like “Amethi wants the Gandhi family” echoed outside the party office.
Speculation is rife that the Congress may field former party president Rahul Gandhi once again from Amethi, where he faced a surprising defeat to Smriti Irani of the BJP in the 2019 elections.
It is anticipated that Rahul Gandhi might contest from both Amethi and Kerala’s Wayanad, similar to his strategy in the previous Lok Sabha elections.
For Raebareli, which has been held by Sonia Gandhi since 2004, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s name has been circulating as a potential candidate. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s electoral debut in Raebareli is expected to invigorate party supporters.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Smriti Irani, who clinched victory in Amethi in 2019, has already filed her nomination for the seat and is confident about securing a second term. Asked about the possibility of facing Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as opponents, Irani asserted, “I could not care less. Whoever comes will lose.”
The election for both Amethi and Raebareli is scheduled for May 20, during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress Party is slated to contest 17 out of Uttar Pradesh’s 80 Lok Sabha seats, with the rest allocated to its ally, the Samajwadi Party, and other regional outfits.
