Congress workers want Rahul Gandhi to contest from Amethi in 2024 Lok Sabha polls: UP party chief Ajay Rai
The Hindu
People of Amethi want Rahul Gandhi to contest 2024 polls; Congress-SP alliance to defeat BJP-led NDA; UP Cong. Chief Ajay Rai says workers, public want to rectify mistake of 2019. INDIA alliance will uproot NDA
The people of Amethi want to rectify their "mistake" of 2019 and Congress workers as well as leaders are demanding that Rahul Gandhi contest from the constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the party's Uttar Pradesh chief Ajay Rai said.
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi had contested the 2019 general elections from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad in Kerala. He lost Amethi to BJP leader Smriti Irani.
The seat was won by him in 2004, 2009 and 2014, and was considered a Congress bastion. Sonia Gandhi had won from Amethi in 1999. Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had also represented the constituency in Lok Sabha. On the recently formed opposition grouping Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), in which the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress are partners, he asserted that the alliance formed for the parliamentary elections will be successful in Uttar Pradesh in defeating the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Mr. Rai added that the Congress-SP tie-up for the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls should not be equated with the alliance of opposition parties for the 2024 elections.
In 2017, the Congress had won seven seats and the SP 47 in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly. In 2022, the Congress had won just two seats. The party has one member in Lok Sabha (Rae Bareli MP Sonia Gandhi) from the politically crucial State that sends 80 MPs to the 543-member Lower House of Parliament.
"The party (Congress) workers and leaders are demanding that Rahul Gandhi contest from the Amethi parliamentary constituency, and the public want to rectify the mistake committed by them, and work with full strength to make him the Lok Sabha MP from Amethi," Mr. Rai told PTI in a telephonic interview.
The people of Amethi "feel that they were cheated and misguided", the Uttar Pradesh Congress president said hitting out at the BJP which is in power both in the state and at the Centre. Asked if the Congress will again field Sonia Gandhi from the Rae Bareli seat in 2024 or consider her daughter and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as its candidate, Mr. Rai said, "They (apparently referring to the party leadership) have to decide this." Every party worker will deliver their best to ensure that the Congress wins Rae Bareli, he said.
Kochi's mayoral selection sparks controversy among Congress leaders, revealing internal divisions and differing opinions on candidate choices.
Maharashtra Waqf Tribunal extends UMEED portal deadline by six months for uploading Waqf property data due to technical issues.
Telangana Housing Board to conduct a lucky draw for 339 one BHK flats in Gachibowli, Warangal, and Khammam.
Nitin Gadkari highlights transport's 40% contribution to Delhi's pollution, urging self-reliance in biofuels amid worsening air quality.
Kozhikode North Assembly segment has the highest voter exclusions in Kozhikode district in Kerala's electoral roll revision, with over 23,000 forms unreturned.
What began as a simple way to stay active soon grew into something larger. The couple converted the garden of their Ashok Nagar residence into a pickleball court, now known as Pickleball Point, envisioning it as a lively space where people from all age groups could gather, play and connect. “It started at home, as something for my husband and me to stay engaged,” she says. “As senior citizens, we wanted to enjoy the energy of people coming in and playing,” she further adds.
Telangana experiences frigid winter temperatures, but relief is expected soon as conditions improve may from December 27.
Unnao rape survivor plans to challenge Supreme Court after Delhi High Court suspends Kuldeep Sengar's jail term, sparking protests.
CPI(M) leader P.K. Sreemathi reports theft of bag and belongings during train journey to AIDWA conference in Bihar.
Citizen volunteers in Bengaluru transform neglected areas through clean-ups and murals, fostering community engagement and environmental awareness.
Kodagu police warn traders to document seller details amid rising thefts of harvested coffee and pepper during the harvesting season.
BJP secures victories in two out of three Urban Local Body elections in Dakshina Kannada, with Congress winning one.
T.T.V. Dhinakaran asserts AMMK will independently choose alliance partners, dismissing AIADMK seat allocation reports as mere rumours.