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Rahul Gandhi, expressing his deep connection with both Rae Bareli and Wayanad, stated, “I have an emotional connection with both constituencies. I was an MP from Wayanad for the last five years and I thank the people for their love and support. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will fight from Wayanad, but I will also periodically visit. Rae Bareli has been close to my heart, and I am happy to represent them again, although it was a tough decision.”
NEW DELHI: The Congress party has decided that Rahul Gandhi will retain the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat, while his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, will make her electoral debut by contesting from Wayanad.
This decision was finalised after extensive discussions at a meeting held at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi.
Rahul Gandhi, expressing his deep connection with both Rae Bareli and Wayanad, stated, “I have an emotional connection with both constituencies. I was an MP from Wayanad for the last five years and I thank the people for their love and support. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will fight from Wayanad, but I will also periodically visit. Rae Bareli has been close to my heart, and I am happy to represent them again, although it was a tough decision.”
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The decision underscores the Congress’s strategy to strengthen its presence in both constituencies. Rae Bareli, a long-standing Congress bastion, was previously represented by Sonia Gandhi, who vacated the seat earlier this year and is now a Rajya Sabha member. Meanwhile, Wayanad has been a significant constituency for Rahul Gandhi, who won it by a considerable margin in the last general election.
#Breaking: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi will contest from Wayanad. Rahul Gandhi will retain Raebareli.#PriyankaGandhi #Congress #Wayanad pic.twitter.com/CJpmVFHee7
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) June 17, 2024
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, said, “I am very happy to be able to represent the people of Wayanad and all I’ll say is that I won’t let them feel his (Rahul Gandhi’s) absence. He said he will come frequently, but I will work just as hard and try to make everyone happy”.
Priyanka’s entry into the electoral fray from Wayanad marks a significant moment for the Congress, as she takes on the mantle in a constituency that has shown strong support for her brother.
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The decision for Priyanka Gandhi to contest from Wayanad follows the vacating of the seat by Rahul Gandhi, adhering to the provisions of the Representation of People Act, which allows a candidate to retain only one seat. The Election Commission is yet to announce the dates for the bye-elections.
Rahul Gandhi had won both Rae Bareli and Wayanad in the recent general election with significant margins. His choice to retain Rae Bareli highlights the constituency’s importance to the Congress party, given its historical significance and strong voter base.
“It was decided that Rahul Gandhi will retain Raebareli because it is close to his heart and the people have been with the family for generations,” Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said after a meeting this evening to deliberate on this and other issues.
Rahul Gandhi served as the MP from Wayanad from 2019 to 2024, establishing a robust connection with the electorate there.
