New Delhi: The Congress’ list of Lok Sabha nominees from Delhi featured an unexpected inclusion with former JNU student union head Kanhaiya Kumar.
Kanhaiya Kumar now finds himself facing off against the BJP’s Manoj Tiwari in the North East Delhi constituency, a territory previously eyed for the party by Delhi Congress leader Arvinder Singh Lovely.
As per sources within the party, the Delhi screening committee had initially recommended Lovely’s name for the North East Delhi seat. However, the Central Election Committee opted to put forward Kanhaiya Kumar, hailing from Bihar, in order to appeal to the significant population from UP and Bihar residing in the North East Delhi constituency.
Insiders reveal that former party president Rahul Gandhi played a pivotal role in Kanhaiya Kumar’s candidacy, reflecting a bond that has strengthened over the years.
Rahul’s connection with Kanhaiya was forged in 2016 when the Congress leader denounced the central government for arresting the JNU student union head on accusations of espousing anti-national slogans at a campus event marking the death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.
Kanhaiya later met with and expressed gratitude to the Amethi MP for his support. Prior to joining the Congress in 2021 at Rahul’s urging, Kumar aligned himself with the CPI ahead of the 2019 national elections, running for the Lok Sabha from the Begusarai seat in Bihar, where he lost to the BJP’s Giriraj Singh.
Initially considered for the Begusarai seat in the upcoming 2024 elections, Kanhaiya’s aspirations were put aside as the seat was reserved for the CPI within the INDIA bloc agreement.
Upon his induction, party strategists recognized Kanhaiya’s oratory prowess and began utilizing him to challenge the central government.
Furthermore, Kanhaiya was a steadfast companion to Rahul Gandhi throughout his inaugural Bharat Jodo Yatra, which commenced in Kanyakumari on September 7, 2022, and concluded in Kashmir on January 30, 2023. Kanhaiya’s role extended to being appointed AICC’s head of the party’s student wing NSUI, consistently briefing alongside communications chief Jairam Ramesh on Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra part two.
The Congress secured three out of seven seats in partnership with the AAP in Delhi.
The party has nominated veteran JP Agarwal for the Chandni Chowk seat and former IAS officer and ex-BJP leader Udit Raj for the North West seat.