As Rahul Gandhi Files Raebareli Nomination, A Smiling Photo, Contrasting Slogans And A Massive Debate Follow

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination for the Raebareli parliamentary seat on Friday, surrounded by mother Sonia Gandhi, sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and senior party colleagues — including Mallikarjun Kharge, sparking contrasting emotions in the prestigious Uttar Pradesh seat that has landed at the centre of a big political debate.

In the morning, Congress and ally Samajwadi Party (SP)’s workers gathered at the Congress party’s office; their flags fluttering side by side, in an indication that they stood united behind Rahul, whose candidature was announced after a prolonged suspense and only on the last day of nomination-filing for the seat. Media cameras zoomed in on Rahul’s cavalcade as it moved towards the collectorate, where he would file his nomination moments later. In a show of adulation, Congress workers turned up in large numbers. Photos emerged on social media showing Rahul handing the papers to polling officials and smiling at the camera. There was no confusion anymore. A Gandhi had returned to the Raebareli fight amid “zindabad” slogans.

But then, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers were not amused. A video that emerged on social media — and shared by news agency ANI — was a testament to that fact. In the video, “Rahul Gandhi go back” chants rang out loud and clear.

Rahul’s Raebareli foray has triggered a heated debate, sending the political mercury soaring. For the much of the past weeks, India has discussed who the candidates for Raebareli and Amethi would be. The seats, which have had deep links to the Congress, will vote in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls on May 20.

Five years ago, Rahul, the incumbent MP from Amethi back then, lost the seat to the BJP’s Smriti Irani. He got elected to Parliament from Kerala’s Wayanad, a constituency that he is contesting this time as well. But the result meant a Congress citadel had been breached. And in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Rahul’s mother, Sonia Gandhi, who was the MP from Rae Bareli till recently, decided not to contest the election, triggering speculations over what next in the Congress stronghold.

After Rahul’s Raebareli nomination on Friday, the BJP sharpened its attack on the Congress leader, saying he deserted Amethi due to the fear of loss (the Congress has fielded Kishori Lal Sharma from Amethi). It had even attributed the Congress’s delay in announcing candidates to the same reason. The Congress, on the other hand, says it will win both seats, and has described Rahul as a “fighter”.

“I am in a rush because I have to leave for Raebareli to attend the nomination filing of ‘bhaiya’ [Rahul]. Kishori Lal Sharma is going to contest from Amethi, and you know him for 40 years. He is well aware of the issues of Amethi. We will fight together and will ensure Kishori Lal Sharma’s victory…,” Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said in Amethi on Friday morning, soon after the official announcement of candidates.

Union minister and BJP leader Irani, who is once again contesting from Amethi, did not agree. “No member of the Gandhi family contesting from Amethi is itself an indication that the Congress has accepted its defeat here even before elections,” she said.

The BJP’s Raebareli candidate, Dinesh Pratap Singh, for his part, accused the Gandhis of betraying voters in that constituency. “Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have betrayed the people of Raebareli. The people chose Sonia Gandhi as an MP, but she gave the power to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and she later gave it to Kishori Lal Sharma. In the last 10 years, neither Priyanka Gandhi Vadra nor Sonia Gandhi met the people of Raebareli…”

Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, like other Congress leaders and their allies, made light of the allegations. “Everyone is happy. Rahul Gandhi is contesting from Raebareli. Both [KL Sharma and Rahul Gandhi] are going to win with a huge margin,” he said.

Find Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website.