Which Seat Will Rahul Gandhi Retain: Rae Bareli Or Wayanad?

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's landslide victories in both Rae Bareli and Wayanad have raised the question of which constituency he will forego.

As his decision is awaited, it has been requested by party leaders that Rae Bareli be retained by him.

Photo Credit: PTI

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were seen arriving at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in New Delhi on Wednesday to attend the INDIA bloc leaders meeting. The Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat was won by Gandhi with a margin of 3,90,030 votes, while his victory margin in Wayanad was 3,64,422 votes.

The request for Rahul Gandhi to retain Rae Bareli was made by UP Congress Committee (UPCC) president Ajay Rai. Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra 'Mona' noted, "Rahul Gandhi's election to Lok Sabha by a big margin from both constituencies has been ensured by the people. Thus, choosing one seat will be difficult for him."

No comments were made by Rai and Mishra regarding the Congress's possible choice if Rahul Gandhi retains Wayanad. However, there have been calls for Priyanka Gandhi to make her political debut. "The Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat is desired to be retained by Rahul Gandhiji. However, if Wayanad is chosen by him, the Congress high command will be requested to field a Gandhi family member. As no other leader will be acceptable here as a candidate, Priyanka Gandhi must be the choice," said Pankaj Tiwari, president of the district Congress Committee in Rae Bareli.

It was highlighted by former advisor to the UP governor CB Pandey that the Prohibition of Simultaneous Membership Rules stipulate that a candidate elected from two Lok Sabha seats must resign from one seat within 14 days of the election.

It was also noted that eight MLAs, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, will need to decide whether to retain their seat in the state legislature or in parliament. Yadav, who is an MLA and leader of the opposition in the state legislative assembly, will also need to make this choice.

In other news, Prashant Kishor's reaction to the exit poll results was reported, with a prediction of a massive win for the BJP-led NDA. Additionally, it was observed that the AAP drew a blank in Delhi again but won one seat in Punjab and is leading in two others.

In Amethi, a significant upset for Smriti Irani is indicated, with KL Sharma leading by 50,000 votes. Early trends suggest Kangana Ranaut is leading from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi Lok Sabha seat. It was noted that prominent figures like Smriti Irani and Nakul Nath could potentially lose their seats.