Gandhis' absence in Amethi, Raebareli - Congress suspense continues
Learn about the ongoing suspense within the Congress party as the Gandhi's remain absent from Amethi and Raebareli, stirring political intrigue.
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The Congress party is taking a long time to decide who will run for the seats of Amethi and Raebareli, traditionally held by the Nehru-Gandhi family. This delay is confusing many party members. There's speculation that both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra might not want to run. Efforts are being made to convince at least one of them to enter the race.
The party leadership wants both Rahul and Priyanka to run for these seats, but they haven't considered anyone else. The deadline for nominations is May 3, and voting is on May 20.
Some party leaders think it's crucial for the Gandhis to run from these seats to send a strong political message. However, others are unsure. The political suspense adds to the uncertainty surrounding their candidature.
If Priyanka runs, she will be the eighth member of the Nehru-Gandhi family to enter politics with the Congress. If both she and Rahul win, it'll be the first time three members of the Gandhi family will be in Parliament together.
There's concern that if both Rahul and Priyanka run, the BJP might intensify their criticism of dynasty politics. Rahul also faces the dilemma of potentially winning both Wayanad and Amethi, forcing him to choose one and leave the other. The absence of leadership amplifies the uncertainty surrounding their electoral strategy.
Some Congress members suggest Priyanka should run against Smriti Irani in Amethi, while Rahul should move to Raebareli. But nothing has been decided yet.
Winning back Amethi and keeping Raebareli is crucial for the Gandhi family, as these seats have historical significance for them. However, the Congress suffered a setback in 2019 when Rahul lost Amethi, though Sonia retained Raebareli.
The Gandhi family has had a long association with both of these constituencies, with members representing them since the 1950s. The Congress is still figuring out its strategy for these crucial seats. Election dynamics continue to influence the party's decision-making process.