Amidst the anticipation surrounding Congress’ decision for the pivotal Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seats, the venerable political entity asserted its lack of trepidation on Wednesday, affirming that an announcement on the matter would transpire on Thursday.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, elucidated that the party’s central election committee (CEC) had vested Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with the authority to conclude the selection of candidates for Amethi and Rae Bareli.
“In my estimation, within the subsequent 24-30 hours, the Congress president shall conclude the matter, and his decision shall be disclosed,” remarked Ramesh during a press briefing at the AICC headquarters. “Until such time, all purported directives and proclamations hold no legitimacy,” he added.
In response to queries regarding the delay in decision-making and insinuations of fear within the Congress regarding fielding Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, Ramesh retorted, “There exists no delay. Has the BJP not declared its nominees in Raebareli? Smriti Irani is an incumbent MP. Fear is non-existent; consultations are ongoing, duly authorized by the Congress president.” “There exists no delay; time extends until May 3,” he reiterated.
As reported by ETV Bharat on Tuesday, the Congress affirmed that its nominees would indubitably submit their candidature for the two prestigious seats by May 3. The suspense escalates amidst fervent speculation regarding the candidacies of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.
Commencement of nominations for the two constituencies commenced on April 27 and shall conclude on May 3. The electoral process is slated for May 20. Speculation abounds that Rahul Gandhi shall vie for his traditional bastion, Amethi, which he represented from 2004 to 2019, while Priyanka Gandhi shall contend from Rae Bareli, upholding her mother Sonia Gandhi’s legacy, presently a member of the Rajya Sabha.
“Our nominees shall unquestionably lodge their nominations by May 3. All requisite arrangements have been orchestrated. Deliberations regarding the candidates for the two constituencies are underway within the CEC, with an impending announcement,” affirmed AICC’s UP in charge, Avinash Pande, to ETV Bharat on Tuesday.
Sources within the party divulged that during a recent CEC conclave presided over by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, discussions ensued with the UP in charge and CLP leader Aradhana Mishra concerning the two constituencies. In the course of the meeting, the two UP leaders reasserted the desire of constituents and party functionaries in Amethi and Rae Bareli for a member of the Gandhi family to contest the national elections. Ultimately, the decision was delegated to the Gandhi family regarding their participation.
As the Gandhis deliberated on the matter, conjectures circulated clandestinely within party circles – Rahul might vie for Amethi, while Priyanka might abstain altogether; Rahul could potentially shift to Rae Bareli, with Priyanka contending from Amethi, or individuals closely associated with the family might be nominated for the two seats.
Although some Congress members postulated the existence of a contingency plan should the Gandhis decline to contest, former UP unit chief Brijlal Khabri deemed such scenarios improbable. “I am of the opinion that the Gandhis themselves shall contest from the two constituencies. The only unresolved matter pertains to seat allocation. I doubt anyone else shall contest from those constituencies,” asserted Khabri to ETV Bharat.
He contended that a modicum of suspense surrounding the nominees in the two pivotal constituencies was beneficial. “The element of suspense augments anticipation and shall soon be resolved. Once the candidates are unveiled, local activists shall be invigorated, redoubling their efforts in preparation for the elections. On the ground, local leaders and activists have been diligently toiling in the two constituencies over recent weeks. The unveiling of names and the filing of nomination papers can be expeditiously executed,” elucidated Khabri.
The seasoned leader chastised the BJP for impugning the delay and insinuating that the Gandhis were evading electoral battle in UP. “The BJP’s rhetoric notwithstanding, they are apprehensive following two rounds of polling. Their initial projections in UP are awry, and the Congress-SP coalition is performing commendably. Consequently, they are perturbed and have trained their sights on the Gandhis,” opined Khabri.
As per AICC in charge Avinash Pande, subsequent to the cessation of nominations for the two constituencies on May 3, a Congress-SP coordination assembly is slated for May 4 in Amethi and Sultanpur seats to deliberate joint campaigning strategies among the cadre of both parties.
