New Delhi: The Indian National Congress has announced its second slate of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, showcasing a diverse range of individuals from various social backgrounds. The list includes 43 candidates, highlighting the party’s commitment to representation across caste and community lines.
Key Highlights:
- Nakul Nath, the incumbent MP from Chhindwara and son of former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, retains his candidacy.
- Rakibul Hasan, the sole Muslim candidate and a prominent leader in Assam, will contest from Dhubri. Hasan, a deputy leader of the Congress Legislative Party in Assam, has a long-standing political career, including multiple terms as MLA and ministerial roles.
- The list features a balanced mix of candidates across caste categories, with 10 from the general category, 13 OBCs, 10 SCs, and 9 STs.
- Gaurav Gogoi, son of the late Tarun Gogoi, former Chief Minister of Assam, is also a ticket holder.
The selection process involved extensive deliberations during the Congress Election Committee meeting, presided over by party president Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by senior leaders like Sonia Gandhi. Notably absent was Rahul Gandhi.
The party has placed a significant emphasis on Rajasthan, with a majority of the candidates, including Vaibhav Gehlot, son of former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, being fielded from the state.
This announcement follows the first list released on March 8, which included prominent figures such as Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor. The Congress party appears to be strategically positioning itself with a blend of experienced politicians and emerging leaders to make a strong impact in the forthcoming elections.
