Amethi and Rae Bareli, the Gandhis two prestigious constituencies, have always been in the spotlight during the election season. This time, too, it is no different. Congress workers are getting restive over the party dragging its feet on announcing Rahul Gandhi’s candidature from Amethi. The Congress may have its reasons, as Rahul was defeated by the BJP’s Smriti Irani in the 2019 shocker. But a group of party workers do not want to give up. They have come to New Delhi to impress upon the leadership to announce his name. However, the Congress may not be too worried about Rae Bareli, as Sonia Gandhi has been consistently winning that seat since 2004.
Nevertheless, impatient Congress workers have said if Rahul and Priyanka refused to fight from Amethi and Rae Bareli respectively, they would sit at home or, worse, resign from the party. The group’s leader has even dared the party: “Rahul bhayya says daro mat (don’t be scared). Then show it by contesting.”
Rahul Gandhi's second Wayanad foray has created a furore. MG Dawood Miakhan, grandson of Muslim League founder Mohd Ismail Sahib, has written an open letter, asking him not to contest from Kerala. He has raised his banner of support to the CPI's Annie Raja, saying it is important to have strong Left leaders in Parliament. Strangely, his advice is a mix of moral support and warning. He said he has “no doubt that Rahul should be in Parliament to lead the next government”. But he also added a dollop of warning to that, saying he did not want Rahul to represent Wayanad and that he had information that Muslims in the region might swing in favour of Annie.
Published 20 March 2024, 20:23 IST