New Delhi: The Indian National Congress has officially announced its first batch of candidates for the forthcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The list comprises 39 nominees, with the party’s stalwart, Rahul Gandhi, spearheading the charge from the Wayanad constituency in Kerala. This announcement marks the commencement of the electoral battle for India’s oldest political party.
Key Candidates and Constituencies:
- Rahul Gandhi reaffirms his commitment to Wayanad, a constituency he has previously represented.
- Bhupesh Baghel, the ex-Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, is set to contest from Rajnandgaon.
- Shashi Tharoor will continue his parliamentary journey from Thiruvananthapuram.
- DK Suresh, the sibling of Karnataka’s Deputy CM, is the chosen candidate for Bengaluru Rural.
- Vikas Upadhyay is slated to represent the party from Raipur.
The selection reflects a diverse mix, with 15 candidates hailing from the general category and 24 representing the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Class, and minority communities.
Strategic Announcements and Electoral Promises:
During a press briefing at the party headquarters, key figures like KC Venugopal, Ajay Maken, and Jairam Ramesh unveiled the candidate names. Venugopal emphasized the election’s significance in safeguarding democracy and expressed confidence that the youth, farmers, and women would rally to dethrone the incumbent government in favor of the India Alliance.
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra:
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi since January 14, is set to culminate in Mumbai on March 17 with a grand rally. Venugopal extended an invitation to the India Alliance parties to join the closing event.
Behind-the-Scenes Deliberations:
The Central Election Committee (CEC) of Congress, in a meeting attended by prominent leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi, deliberated and approved the candidate list based on recommendations from various screening committees.
This strategic move by the Congress comes shortly after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its extensive list of 195 candidates, setting the stage for a highly anticipated electoral showdown. The Congress party’s list is a blend of experience and representation, aiming to resonate with a broad spectrum of the Indian electorate.
