New Delhi: In a significant political development, the Congress party has announced that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will make her electoral debut from Wayanad, Kerala, while Rahul Gandhi will contest from the Raebareli constituency in Uttar Pradesh. This decision, marking a pivotal moment in the party’s strategy for the upcoming elections, was revealed by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge during a press conference on Monday.
Strategic Shifts and Emotional Ties
The announcement follows a high-level meeting of the Congress leadership. Mr. Kharge, flanked by the Gandhi siblings, explained the rationale behind the decision, emphasizing the deep emotional and historical connection the Gandhi family has with both constituencies.
“The party has decided that Rahul Gandhi should keep the Raebareli seat because it has been close to him and his family for generations. The people of the constituency and people in the Congress feel this will be good for the party as well. More importantly, he has received love from the people of Wayanad and people there want him to retain the seat. But the rules don’t allow this. So we have decided that Priyanka ji will contest from Wayanad,” Mr. Kharge said.
Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Constituency Commitment
Rahul Gandhi expressed his gratitude to the people of Wayanad for their unwavering support and assured them of his continued involvement in their affairs, despite his shift to Raebareli. “Priyanka will contest from Wayanad, but I will also go there frequently and we will fulfil all the promises we made to the people there. I have an old connection with Raebareli and I am happy to represent them, but it wasn’t an easy decision. It was a tough one. The people of Wayanad stood with me and supported me. They gave me energy to fight in a very difficult time. I will be available for the people of Wayanad,” he said.
He further added, “I am confident she (Priyanka) will win the election and she will be a very good representative. The people of Wayanad can think about it like this: They now have two MPs, one is my sister and the other is me. My doors are always open to you for the rest of my life and I love every person in Wayanad.”
Priyanka Gandhi’s Debut and Commitment
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, making her electoral debut from Wayanad, expressed her enthusiasm and commitment to her new constituency. “As he said, he will come many times with me. But I will work as hard and try to be a good representative. I have a very old connection with Raebareli and I have worked there for 20 years. That connection cannot break. I will help bhaiyya (big brother) in Raebareli and we will be available in both constituencies,” she said. When asked if she was nervous, she confidently responded, “Not at all.”
Historical and Political Significance
Raebareli, a traditional stronghold of the Gandhi family, has been represented by Sonia Gandhi since 2004 until her recent move to the Rajya Sabha. The constituency was previously represented by Rahul Gandhi’s grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and her husband Feroze Gandhi, solidifying its status as a family bastion.
Rahul Gandhi’s shift to Raebareli is also seen as a strategic move given the constituency’s location in Uttar Pradesh, which holds the highest number of Lok Sabha seats. The impressive performance of the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance in the state during the recent elections, where they secured 43 out of 80 seats, further influenced this decision.
Congress’s Renewed Focus
The Congress party’s decision to field Priyanka Gandhi from Wayanad and Rahul Gandhi from Raebareli aims to strengthen their political foothold and leverage the emotional connection the Gandhi family has with these constituencies. This move is expected to energize the party’s base and enhance their electoral prospects.
As the Gandhi siblings embark on their respective electoral journeys, the Congress party hopes to present a united and formidable front, ready to take on the challenges of the upcoming elections.
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