Why Is Rahul Gandhi Contesting From Raebareli, And Not Amethi?

New Delhi: After days of suspense and speculation, we finally came to know on deadline day who will actually be Congress’ candidates from the traditional Gandhi family bastions of Amethi and Raebareli for the Lok Sabha elections.

Despite the taunts and open dares from the BJP, Rahul will not be contesting from Amethi.

The Congress leader, who won the Amethi seat thrice (2004, 2009 and 2014) before losing to Smriti Irani five years ago, has been named the grand old party’s candidate from Raebareli.

It’s a seat held by his mother Sonia Gandhi for 20 years till she announced earlier this year that she won’t contest elections any more, and accepted a Rajya Sabha membership.

Rahul, who filed nomination papers from Raebareli earlier on Friday accompanied by Sonia and sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, said it was an emotional moment for him.

Explaining the decision behind contesting from Raebareli, besides Wayanad in Kerala from where he won last time also, Rahul said his mother had entrusted him with the responsibility of his family’s ‘karmabhoomi’ (workplace) and the opportunity to serve people of the constituency.

He did mention Amethi in a post on X after filing his nomination on the last day, and also expressed happiness for Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhis, who has been fielded from Amethi to challenge Union minister Irani.

“Amethi and Rae Bareli are not different for me, both are my family and I am happy that Kishori Lal ji, who has been serving the area for 40 years, will represent the party from Amethi,” Rahul stated.

“In the ongoing fight for justice against injustice, I seek the love and blessings of my loved ones. I am confident that all of you stand with me in this fight to save the Constitution and democracy,” Rahul said.

Rahul’s opponent in Raebareli would be BJP’s Dinesh Pratap Singh, who had lost to Sonia in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Congress said that the decision to field Rahul from Raebareli and Sharma from Amethi was made at a meeting of the party’s Central Election Committee.

Both Amethi and Raebareli will go to polls in the fifth of seven phases, on May 20.