1. Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination amidst enthusiastic support, continuing the Gandhi legacy in Rae Bareli.
2. The Congress named Rahul Gandhi as their Rae Bareli candidate and Kishori Lal Sharma for Amethi.
3. The announcement came just before the nomination deadline, solidifying the party’s electoral lineup.
Lucknow, May 03: Amidst a spirited crowd, Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination papers for the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat, marking the third generation of Gandhis contesting from this constituency.
The Congress officially announced Rahul Gandhi as the party’s candidate for Rae Bareli, alongside Kishori Lal Sharma for Amethi, shortly before the nomination deadline.
Accompanied by his mother Sonia Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rahul arrived at the district headquarters to complete the nomination process.
Initially hesitant to contest a second seat, Rahul’s decision was influenced by party leaders and the Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav.
Rahul’s decision to contest from Rae Bareli reflects the significance of the Gandhi family’s stronghold, particularly at a time when the Congress is striving to regain its influence in Uttar Pradesh.
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Akhilesh Yadav emphasized the importance of Congress leaders contesting from Amethi and Rae Bareli to strengthen the Opposition alliance.
Before filing his nomination, Rahul Gandhi continued the tradition initiated by Indira Gandhi in 1967 by performing a puja at the late Gaya Prasad Shukla’s residence upon landing at Fursatganj from Delhi.
The legacy of the Gandhis in Rae Bareli spans 38 years, starting with Rahul’s grandfather, Feroze Gandhi, who won the seat in 1952 and 1957.
Other relatives, such as Arun Nehru and Shiela Kaul, have also represented the constituency.
While the BJP secured victories in Rae Bareli in 1996 and 1998, the Congress has maintained its stronghold for the most part. Despite occasional setbacks, the Congress has retained a significant presence in the region.
However, the BJP’s vote share has been steadily increasing since 2004, posing a challenge to the Congress’s dominance.
