After weeks of speculation and anticipation, the Congress party has finally unveiled its candidates for the prestigious Gandhi family seats of Amethi and Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant shift in strategy.
In a surprising move, senior leader Rahul Gandhi has opted to contest from Rae Bareli, a departure from the traditional stronghold of Amethi, where he faced defeat to Union minister Smriti Irani in 2019. Meanwhile, his sister and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has opted out of the electoral race.
The announcement was made on the final day of nominations for the two seats, which are scheduled for polls on May 20.
In Amethi, the party has nominated Kishorilal Sharma, a longstanding representative of the Nehru-Gandhi family in the region. This marks the first time in 25 years that a Gandhi family member will not be contesting from Amethi, a seat historically associated with the family’s political legacy.
The decision to shift Rahul Gandhi to Rae Bareli is attributed to the changing dynamics of Amethi post the 2019 loss, making it a less secure seat for the Congress scion. Additionally, winning from both Wayanad and Rae Bareli could provide Rahul with flexibility to relinquish the Kerala constituency in favor of the family’s stronger ties to Rae Bareli, particularly with Sonia Gandhi’s personal connection to the constituency.
Rahul and Priyanka initially hesitated to enter the fray, citing concerns over their existing electoral commitments and potential repercussions on the Congress’s prospects in future elections. However, Rahul’s eventual decision to contest is believed to be influenced by the party’s consensus that their absence from the Hindi heartland elections would convey a negative political message.
The timing of the Congress’s ticket announcement coincided with the BJP’s nomination of Uttar Pradesh minister Dinesh Pratap Singh for Rae Bareli, further intensifying the electoral contest in the region.
The move to have only one Gandhi family member contesting aims to mitigate the BJP’s “dynasty” narrative against the Congress, particularly with Sonia Gandhi already serving as a Rajya Sabha member.
Rahul’s previous foray into Wayanad in 2019 proved beneficial for the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections but failed to translate into success in the subsequent Assembly polls, underlining the significance of the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala.
The electoral history of Amethi and Rae Bareli reflects the enduring legacy of the Gandhi family in Indian politics, with occasional setbacks such as Indira Gandhi’s defeat in Rae Bareli in 1977 and Rahul Gandhi’s loss in Amethi in 2019.
The Gandhi family’s association with these constituencies spans generations, symbolizing their deep-rooted connection to the heartland of Indian politics and underscoring their enduring influence in the region.
Comments