New Delhi: In a significant political development amidst the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, the Congress party has announced that Rahul Gandhi will be contesting from the Rae Bareli constituency, marking a departure from his traditional Amethi seat. The decision ends the prolonged speculation about his candidature. Concurrently, the party has nominated Kishori Lal Sharma to represent Amethi, a seat that has been historically associated with Rahul Gandhi.
Nomination Day for Congress Candidates
The Congress Committee’s declaration has set the stage for today’s nomination filing. Both Rahul Gandhi and Kishori Lal Sharma are scheduled to file their nominations before the 3 pm deadline on May 3. The nomination process for these constituencies commenced on April 26 and concludes today. This strategic move by the Congress aims to consolidate its position in these crucial seats.
Bharatiya Janata Party’s Countermove
In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has re-nominated Union Minister Smriti Irani for the Amethi seat, who had previously defeated Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 elections. Smriti Irani submitted her nomination papers on April 29. Additionally, the BJP has fielded Dinesh Pratap Singh for the Rae Bareli seat, intensifying the electoral contest.
Strategic Shift for Congress
The choice of Rahul Gandhi for Rae Bareli is attributed to the vacancy created by Sonia Gandhi’s transition to the Rajya Sabha. Having represented Rae Bareli from 2004 to 2024, her move has opened up the opportunity for Rahul Gandhi to step in. The Congress party anticipates a stronger chance of victory in Rae Bareli compared to Amethi, where the prospects were deemed less favorable.
This reshuffling of candidates reflects the dynamic nature of Indian politics and sets the tone for an intriguing electoral battle in the heartland of Uttar Pradesh.
