Putting an end to the suspense surrounding the selection of Lok Sabha candidates for the significant Amethi and Raebareli constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, Congress is gearing up for a decision within the next 24 hours by Thursday evening.
Jairam Ramesh, a senior party leader, announced that the Central Election Committee (CEC) of the party has authorized Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to make the crucial decision, emphasizing that there's no sense of fear or hesitation among the party members.
The Congress has maintained the suspense going for Amethi and Raebareli constituencies, not naming candidates for them in the latest list of names for the Lok Sabha polls released on Tuesday.
Protests erupted among Congress workers in Amethi on Tuesday due to the delay in the announcement. Demonstrators outside the party office chanted slogans demanding representation from the Gandhi family for Amethi.
There's widespread speculation that Rahul Gandhi, the former party president, might contest from Amethi again, a constituency lost to BJP's Smriti Irani in a surprising upset in 2019. He could contest both from Amethi and Kerala's Wayanad like he did in the last Lok Sabha elections.
In Raebareli, held by Sonia Gandhi since 2004, the spotlight is on Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, whose electoral debut is anticipated to energize party workers.
Gandhi family is very popular: Cong leader
Responding to the buzz surrounding Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress leader Rajeev Shukla reiterated that the decision rests with the CEC. He highlighted the enduring popularity of the Gandhi family. He said there was massive turnout at public events of Gandhi family.
"The Gandhi family is very popular and lakhs of people are coming to their public meetings. The decision has been now left to the CEC," Shukla said.
The election for both seats is scheduled for May 20th, the fifth phase of voting.
Congress will contest 17 out of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats, with the remaining 63 going to allies like the Samajwadi Party and other regional outfits.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Smriti Irani has filed her nomination from Amethi, expressing confidence in securing a second consecutive term. When asked about her preference between Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as opponents, she expressed indifference, stating, "I could not care less. Whoever comes will lose."
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