X: @the_news_21
Sonia Gandhi, the veteran leader of the Congress party, announced on Thursday that she will not be contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from her long-held constituency of Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh. Citing health and age issues, Sonia Gandhi expressed her gratitude to the voters of Rae Bareli and hinted at the possibility of a family member taking her place in the constituency.
Having represented Rae Bareli since 2004, Sonia Gandhi’s decision marks the end of an era in the region’s politics. In an emotional message to her constituents, she conveyed her appreciation for their unwavering support over the years. While she acknowledged that she will no longer be able to serve them directly, Sonia Gandhi assured that her commitment to their welfare remains steadfast.
The announcement has sparked speculation about the potential candidacy of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sonia’s daughter, in Rae Bareli. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been increasingly involved in the political arena and her entry into the electoral fray could signal a new chapter for the Gandhi family in Uttar Pradesh.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wasted no time in seizing upon Sonia Gandhi’s decision, with spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala questioning the Congress party’s future in Uttar Pradesh. Poonawala suggested that the Congress was apprehensive about losing Rae Bareli, once considered a stronghold for the party. The BJP has been making significant inroads in traditional Congress bastions, as evidenced by Rahul Gandhi’s defeat in Amethi to BJP’s Smriti Irani in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Meanwhile, tensions between the Congress and BJP escalated in Rajasthan, where Sonia Gandhi recently filed her nomination for a Rajya Sabha seat. BJP spokesperson Laxmikant Bhardwaj launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing the party of failing to address issues of crime, particularly crimes against women, during its tenure in Rajasthan. Bhardwaj’s remarks underscore the intensifying political rivalry between the two parties ahead of crucial elections.
Sonia Gandhi’s decision not to contest the Lok Sabha elections has set the stage for significant developments in Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape. As the Congress strategizes its approach for the upcoming polls, all eyes are on whether Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will step forward to carry on her family’s legacy in Rae Bareli.
