Rahul Gandhi To Contest 2024 Lok Sabha Polls From Amethi, Says Newly Elected UP Congress President

In a recent announcement, the newly appointed President of the Uttar Pradesh Congress, Ajay Rai on Friday officially confirmed that Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader and MP from Wayanad, will be a contender in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Amethi constituency.

Responding to a question regarding Rahul Gandhi's chosen constituency for the Lok Sabha polls, Ajay Rai confidently said, "Without a doubt, Rahul Gandhi will be contesting from the Amethi constituency. The people of Amethi stand firmly behind him, and if Priyanka Gandhi expresses her desire to contest from Varanasi, our dedicated workers will spare no effort to ensure her success."

Sharing his views on the present Amethi Member of Parliament, Smriti Irani, Ajay Rai commented, "Her behavior has been erratic. She promised to reduce the price of sugar to Rs 13 per kg. Was she able to fulfill that pledge? Conversely, we pledge to raise the Congress flag in every election with unwavering determination."

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Smriti Irani made history by defeating Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, a Congress stronghold for decades, by a margin of around 55,000 votes.

Back in 2014, Ajay Rai also participated in the Varanasi elections but was defeated by Narendra Modi. Approaching the Lok Sabha elections of 2024, Ajay Rai was appointed as the President of the Uttar Pradesh Congress, taking over from Brijlal Khabri.

Prior to Ajay Rai's appointment, Robert Vadra, the husband of Priyanka Gandhi, hinted at the potential for Priyanka to enter the realm of electoral politics. Vadra expressed, "It's certain that Priyanka should be in the Lok Sabha. She possesses all the necessary qualifications. Her presence in Parliament would be highly valuable, and she rightfully deserves a place there. I hope the Congress party acknowledges this and plans accordingly for her role," as conveyed to the news agency PTI.

Regarding Rahul Gandhi's electoral strategy, in the year 2019, he contested from both Amethi and Wayanad. While Amethi held a legacy significance for him, Wayanad marked his introduction to Southern electoral politics. A notable upset occurred as Smriti Irani emerged victorious against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi secured a seat in the Lok Sabha from Wayanad. His participation in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was under question due to the uncertainty stemming from his prior conviction in the 2019 Modi surname case, which led to a temporary loss of his Lok Sabha membership. However, the Supreme Court intervened, granting an interim stay on Rahul Gandhi's conviction and thereby reinstating his membership.