The Congress party, asserting that “nobody is scared,” announced that decisions regarding the candidates for the Amethi and Raebareli Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh would be disclosed within the next 24-30 hours.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh revealed that the party’s Central Election Committee (CEC) had authorized Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to finalize the candidates for both constituencies.
“My expectation is that within the next 24-30 hours, the Congress president will finalize the decision, which will then be announced. Until then, all information and purported office orders are false,” Ramesh stated.
Responding to questions about a possible delay in candidate selection and speculation regarding Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s candidature, Ramesh dismissed any apprehension. “There is no delay. Has the BJP not announced its candidates in Raebareli? Smriti Irani is a sitting MP. Nobody is scared, discussions are ongoing, the Congress president has been authorized. There is no delay, there is time till May 3,” he affirmed.
Speculations have been rife about Rahul Gandhi contesting from Amethi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Raebareli, the seat previously held by her mother, Sonia Gandhi. The state leadership in Uttar Pradesh has formally requested the central election committee and the party leadership to field Rahul from Amethi and Priyanka from Raebareli.
However, reports suggest that Rahul Gandhi may be unwilling to contest from either constituency and may not want any family members to contest from these seats either. Efforts by Congress President Kharge to convince him have reportedly been met with resistance.
Despite these challenges, the Congress remains poised to announce its candidates within the stipulated timeframe.
