Rahul Gandhi, scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family and current MP from Wayanad, Kerala, and Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh has decided to vacate his seat in the former. Making her electoral debut, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will now contest from the Wayanad constituency. This was announced by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge after a high-level Congress meeting on Monday.
“The party has decided that Rahul Gandhi should keep the Raebareli seat because it has been close to him and his family for generations. The people of the constituency and people in the Congress feel this will be good for the party as well. More importantly, he has received love from the people of Wayanad and people there want him to retain the seat. But the rules don’t allow this. So we have decided that Priyanka ji will contest from Wayanad,” Kharge said.
Kharge also emphasized Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s readiness for the challenge, recalling her statement, “ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon” (I am a girl, I can fight). He thanked her for her contributions to the Congress’ success in constituencies like Amethi and Raebareli.
Rahul Gandhi expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Wayanad for their unwavering support during his tenure. He reassured them that he remains committed to their welfare and will continue to support them despite his shift to Raebareli.
“Priyanka will contest from Wayanad, but I will also go there frequently and we will fulfill all the promises we made to the people there. I have an old connection with Raebareli and I am happy to represent them, but it wasn’t an easy decision. It was a tough one. The people of Wayanad stood with me and supported me. They gave me energy to fight in a very difficult time. I will be available for the people of Wayanad,” Rahul Gandhi said.
He expressed confidence in his sister’s ability to win and serve as a good representative for Wayanad.
“The people of Wayanad can think about it like this: They now have two MPs, one is my sister and the other is me. My doors are always open to you for the rest of my life and I love every person in Wayanad,” he added.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, responding to her new role, expressed happiness and commitment to the people of Wayanad.
“As he said, he will come many times with me. But I will work as hard and try to be a good representative. I have a very old connection with Raebareli and I have worked there for 20 years. That connection cannot break. I will help bhaiyya (big brother) in Raebareli and we will be available in both constituencies,” she stated.