Politics politics

Posted by admin on 2024-05-04 |

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On Friday morning, the Congress announced its candidates for the Gandhi family stronghold constituencies of Amethi and Rae Bareli on Friday morning, putting an end to much speculation just hours before the nomination deadline at 3 pm.

Rahul Gandhi's Constituency Switch

Rahul Gandhi, who was expected to make a full-fledged campaign to reclaim Amethi, has been announced as the party candidate from Raebareli, the seat vacated recently by his mother Sonia Gandhi when she moved to Rajya Sabha.

In Amethi, a constituency which shifted allegiance to the BJP five years ago, the Congress has nominated Kishori Lal Sharma, a steadfast supporter of the Gandhi family.

The Gandhis have held the Rae Bareli seat for 38 years, beginning with Feroze Gandhi's victories in 1952 and 1957.

Resolution of Speculation

Rahul reached the district headquarters with his mother, Sonia Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge and sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, to file his papers. Despite his prior candidature in Kerala's Wayanad, Rahul reluctantly agreed to contest from a second constituency, yielding to pressure from party leaders and alliance partner Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav.

Reactions: PM Modi’s Jibe

There are concerns that Rahul Gandhi's switch of constituency could benefit the BJP, especially given Union Minister Smriti Irani's victory in Amethi in 2019.

In an interview with NDTV earlier this week, she said the leadership "is aware that this is a losing seat for them, because if they were so confident of their victory, they would have announced their candidate by now".

As the Congress today announced Rahul Gandhi's switch from Amethi Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocked the Congress leader using his own words. "Today I also want to tell him, Daro Mat (don't be afraid), Bhaago Mat (don't run)," the Prime Minister sneered.

Rahul Gandhi has often said, "Daro Mat" while accusing the BJP government of employing investigative agencies to intimidate critics and political opponents.

Potential Dilemma for Congress

If Rahul Gandhi secures victories in both Rae Bareli and Wayanad, it could lead to a conundrum for the party, since he would have to vacate one of two seats which have equal claims on him.

While Rae Bareli has been a decades-old family bastion, Wayanad represents a Congress stronghold that elected him to the Lok Sabha when Amethi was lost.