Rahul Gandhi Dumps Wayanad as Congress Puts Priyanka For Electoral Debut

New Delhi: Putting an end to all speculation, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge officially confirmed on Monday that Rahul Gandhi will keep his family bastion Raebareli in Uttar Presh and vacate Wayan seat for sister Priyanka Gandhi Vra to contest. announcement came after Congress’ top leership on Monday held discussions at Kharge’s residence which was attended by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul and party general secretaries K C Venugopal and Priyanka Gandhi Vra.  “Rahul Gandhi won 2 Lok Sabha seats but as per law, he has to vacate one seat. Rahul Gandhi will keep Raebareli seat and vacate Wayan Lok Sabha seat”, said Kharge. In Wayan, Rahul Gandhi defeated CPI leer Annie Raja with a substantial margin of over 3.6 lakh votes. Similarly, in Rae Bareli, he won with a margin of 3.9 lakh votes against BJP leer Dinesh Pratap Singh.    

If elected, this will be first time Priyanka Gandhi Vra will enter Parliament as an MP. This will also be first time that all three Gandhi family members - Sonia Gandhi, Rahul and Priyanka - will be in Parliament toger. BJP has, however, attacked Congress for decision saying it is a clear case of dynastic politics being practised. Ruling party spokesperson Shez Poonawala said, "It proves that Congress is not a party but a family company".

'Priyanka Being Scapegoated'

Amit Malviya, BJP's National Information & Technology he, took a dig at Rahul Gandhi for eving his responsibilities for third time. Malviya also noted that Gandhi h yet to decide wher he would assume role of Leer of Opposition. "Third Time Fail Rahul Gandhi is someone, who shirks responsibilities. He still hasn’t decided if he will be LoP. Congress insists it is his position to decline. Earlier, he abandoned Amethi and now, despite being elected twice from Wayan, has decided to stick with RaeBareli. In all this, Priyanka Vra is being scapegoated," Malviya said, ding that "she was clearly lesser of two siblings".  

‘Doors Are Always Open For People of Wayan’

Following Kharge's decision, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said "Priyanka Gandhi is going to fight elections and I am confident that she is going to win elections. people of Wayan can think that y have 2 members of Parliament, one is my sister and or is me. My doors are always open for people of Wayan, I love every single person in Wayan."

What did Priyanka say?

 “I am very happy to be able to represent Wayan and I will not let m 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 bror in Raebareli. We will both be present in Raebareli and Wayan”, said Priyanka in her first comments after being chosen to contest from Wayan seat in Kerala. 

After announcement, Congress leers and Bror-sister duo Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka also shared a hug, a video of which is doing rounds on social media.  

Rahul Gandhi h won both from Wayan and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituencies and he has to vacate one of seats within 14 days of Lok Sabha results, which came out on June 4. Congress Working Committee, highest decision-making body of party, has also urged Rahul Gandhi to take up position of Leer of Opposition in Lok Sabha and a resolution to this effect was passed by CWC in its last meeting held on June 8.

How Annie Raja Reacted?

Senior CPI leer Annie Raja, who h contested against Rahul Gandhi in recent Lok Sabha polls from Wayan welcomed Rahul's decision to retain Rae Bareli seat in Uttar Presh and said it was a necessity in present political circumstances prevailing in country. She said Rahul Gandhi and Congress party took decision to vacate one of constituencies as per existing laws of country.

"In present political scenario, it is essential for a prominent leer like Rahul Gandhi to work in Hindi heartland. So, re is nothing wrong in decision," she told television channels.

When asked wher re is any chance for Priyanka Gandhi to contest as a common candidate of India alliance, Raja said it was collective decision taken within alliance that in Kerala, LDF and UDF would contest independently in accordance with political situation in state.

Any change in decision can be me only by INDI alliance and its respective member parties, she said. "It is happy to know that Congress party has decided to field a woman in by-poll. representation of women in Lok Sabha has come down this time compared to previous year. So, I wish more women would come," she ded.