Raebareli-Amethi elections: Last-ditch attempts on to convince Rahul, Priyanka to enter the fray

Suspense over Congress candidates for Amethi and Raebareli seats of Uttar Pradesh continues even as the last-ditch attempts are underway to convince Rahul Gandhi and , or at least one of the two siblings, to enter the fray. 

Amethi and Raebareli will go to the polls in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 on May 20. And the party is yet to announce the names of the candidates even as the last day for filing nominations for the seats in the fifth phase is May 3.

Sources said while both Rahul and Priyanka are reluctant to contest elections from Raebareli or Amethi, efforts are on to convince both or at least one of the two Gandhi siblings to fight elections from the two seats considered Congress strongholds.  The Congress has not shortlisted any other names for the two seats, with the May 3 nomination deadline approaching fast, they said. 

Some reports suggested that may contest from Raebareli seat, with Priyanka choosing not to contest elections.  Priyanka will, instead, focus on campaigning for the party nationwide, according to a report in India Today.

Within the grand old party, there is a strong belief that the absence of a member in the Uttar Pradesh elections would send a negative political message, according to a report in the Indian Express.

There is a faction within the Congress that believes if Rahul Gandhi were to win both and Amethi, he would be compelled to vacate one of the seats, a scenario that could potentially annoy the voters.

The Congress had been winning Amethi and Raebareli from 1999 until 2019 Lok Sabha Polls when Rahul Gandhi lost Amethi to . Sonia Gandhi, who has been winning Raebareli, has decided to opt out of Lok Sabha race in 2024.

Rahul, however, contested Lok Sabha Elections 2024