X: @the_news_21
Amidst media reports on Thursday, it emerged that BJP MP Varun Gandhi has decided against contesting a potential election battle against his cousin Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for the Raebareli Lok Sabha seat. The BJP had expressed interest in fielding Varun Gandhi from Raebareli, a constituency long held by the Congress since 2004, as per reports from India Today.
The Congress party hinted on Wednesday about the likelihood of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting from Raebareli. Priyanka’s mother, former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, had been representing the Raebareli seat since 2004 until she was elected to the Rajya Sabha earlier this year.
Reports suggested that amid these speculations, the BJP approached Varun Gandhi to contest against his cousin. However, he chose to abstain from the Raebareli electoral fray, as per media sources.
As per report Varun Gandhi preferred avoiding the limelight that a contest between two members of the Gandhi family would inevitably attract.
Varun Gandhi is the incumbent MP from Pilibhit. However, for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP decided not to field him from Pilibhit and instead nominated former minister Jitin Prasada for the seat.
In response, Varun Gandhi penned an open letter to the people of Pilibhit, asserting his continued connection to the region. Meanwhile, his mother, Maneka Gandhi, a seasoned parliamentarian, was once again nominated by the BJP to contest from the Sultanpur seat in Uttar Pradesh.
Reportedly, the BJP conducted several surveys and assessments to gauge who could pose a formidable challenge to the Gandhis in Raebareli.
Raebareli has historically been a stronghold of the Congress, even before Sonia Gandhi began representing it in 2004. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi also held the Raebareli Lok Sabha seat multiple times from 1967 to 1984.
Despite BJP’s success in wresting control of another Gandhi bastion, Amethi, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Raebareli has remained elusive for the party since the NDA’s ascent to power.
However, Sonia Gandhi’s vote share has been on a declining trend since 2014 when compared to previous elections. This trend has bolstered the BJP’s confidence, leading the party to intensify efforts to weaken the Congress base in Raebareli, starting with the defection of Raebareli Sadar MLA Aditi Singh, who joined the BJP after leaving the Congress in 2021. Singh retained her seat in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Also Read: Sugar Mills Applaud Govt Nod to Use Excess Molasses for Ethanol Production
I like this site very much, Its a really nice situation to read and obtain info . “Famous remarks are very seldom quoted correctly.” by Simeon Strunsky.