Rahul Gandhi Files Nomination From Rae Bareli; His Loyalist Kishori Lal From Amethi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has arrived at the Collectorate to file his nomination for the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh. Notably, it is a constituency long held by his mother, Sonia Gandhi. Rahul has left his home for Rae Bareli to file for Lok Sabha Nomination.

The Congress stretched it to the last day to announce its candidates for Amethi and Rae Bareli, with the deadline for nominations being May 3. These two seats, once strongholds of the Gandhi family, are set to go to polls on May 20.

Photo Credit: X/PTI

Many might opine that it is not a bold step, but rather a compulsion for Congress. Suppose the candidate from Amethi beats Smriti Irani, it would be a bigger humiliation for the BJP. And if Rahul Gandhi again loses to Smriti Irani, Congress would be in for a rude shock.

Sonia Gandhi vacated the Rae Bareli seat earlier this year after becoming a Rajya Sabha member, paving the way for Rahul Gandhi's candidacy from the constituency. Rahul Gandhi is already contesting the elections from Wayanad in Kerala.

If his candidacy is confirmed, Rahul Gandhi will face BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh in Wayanad, the same opponent his mother defeated in the 2019 general elections. Additionally, it is reported that Rahul Gandhi's loyalist Kishori Lal is likely to contest from Amethi.

Rahul Gandhi has represented Amethi thrice in the Lok Sabha, but in 2019, he lost the seat to BJP's Smriti Irani. He then won from Wayanad. Sonia Gandhi is expected to attend Rahul Gandhi's nomination proceedings.

Meanwhile, supporters of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have completed their nomination papers. Smriti Irani has already filed her nomination papers from Amethi.

The delay in announcing candidates for these seats has drawn criticism from the BJP, which has accused the Congress of lacking confidence. When asked about contesting from Amethi, Rahul Gandhi stated that he would abide by the party's decision.

Sonia Gandhi represented Rae Bareli from 2004 to 2024 and won the Amethi seat in 1999. The Congress is contesting 17 out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, while its ally, Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, is contesting 63 seats.