Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge announced on Monday that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will contest the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll, while Rahul Gandhi will retain the Raebareli seat. This decision comes as Rahul Gandhi is required to vacate one of the two seats he won in the recent elections.
During a press conference, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated, “Our leader Rahul Gandhi was elected from two Lok Sabha seats. As per rules, he will have to vacate one seat and continue on one seat. Since tomorrow is the last date, we have decided that Rahul Gandhi should keep his Raebareli seat, since it has been very close to the family for a long time.”
“He has received love from the people of Wayanad, and people there want him to retain the seat but the rules do not allow. So, after a lot of deliberations, we decided that Priyanka Gandhi should contest from Wayanad, and she has agreed to the same,” Kharge added.
#WATCH | Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge says “Rahul Gandhi won from 2 LS seats but as per the law he has to vacate one seat. Rahul Gandhi will keep the Raebareli seat and vacate Wayanad Lok Sabha seat..” pic.twitter.com/yXdtvDMGwl
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2024
Rahul Gandhi expressed his gratitude to the people of Wayanad and Raebareli. “I have an emotional connection with both Raebareli and Wayanad. I was the Wayanad MP for the last five years and people of Wayanad gave me love, for which I thank them. Priyanka will contest from Wayanad, but I will continue to visit Wayanad and the promises we made to Wayanad… we will fulfil them. I have a long relation with Raebareli and I am very happy that I will be representing it. This was not an easy decision, because affection is with both (Wayanad and Raebareli),” he said.
Rahul Gandhi also expressed confidence in his sister’s ability to serve Wayanad, saying, “Priyanka Gandhi is going to fight the elections and I am confident that she is going to win the elections. The people of Wayanad can think that they have 2 members of the Parliament, one is my sister and the other is me. My doors are always open for the people of Wayanad, I love every single person in Wayanad.”
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in her remarks, reassured the people of Wayanad of her commitment. “I am very happy to be able to represent Wayanad and I will not let them feel his (Rahul Gandhi’s) absence. I will work hard and I will try my best to make everyone happy and be a good representative. I have a very old relationship with Raebareli and Amethi and it cannot be broken. I will also help my brother in Raebareli. We will both be present in Raebareli and Wayanad,” she stated.
The decision was finalised after discussions held at Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, where the Congress’ top leadership deliberated over the matter. Rahul Gandhi’s victory in both Wayanad and Raebareli required him to vacate one seat within 14 days of the election results, which were declared on June 4.
Additionally, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) has urged Rahul Gandhi to take up the position of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, passing a resolution to this effect on June 8. The CWC believes Rahul Gandhi is the best candidate for the role.
