'Will do what party decides...': Rahul Gandhi on Amethi seat
Senior Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday that he will adhere to the party's decision regarding Amethi's candidacy for the Lok Sabha elections. "Whatever order I will get, I will follow it. In our party, all these (selections of candidates) decisions are taken by the Congress Election Committee," Gandhi answered when asked about the candidate from Amethi. The remark came days after his brother-in-law, Robert Vadra, stated that the people of Amethi want him to run for the seat.
Why does this story matter?
Amethi, historically a stronghold of the Gandhi family, was won by the BJP in the 2019 elections. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Smriti Irani defeated Gandhi, ending his 15-year reign in Amethi. Since the setback, the Congress has been hesitant about nominating a candidate for the Amethi seat. Before Vadra, there were speculations that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra might just make her poll debut from Rae Bareli this year.
Vadra suggests strong public support for Gandhi's candidacy
Weeks ago, Vadra also threw his hat into the ring, claiming that the people of Amethi want him to represent them. "They want me to represent them, go to their area, and listen to their problems so that they can progress. I am also interested in joining politics but the decision will be taken at the right time. There is no hurry right now," he told reporters.
Rae Bareli candidate yet to be announced
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are almost in the same boat in Rae Bareli. Both parties are yet to release the names of their respective candidates. Amethi in Uttar Pradesh will go to the polls on April 26, while Rae Bareli will go to the polls on May 20. The Congress has formed an alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh, where it is contesting 17 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats.
