There are just four days left for the nomination process for Amethi and Rae Bareilly to end and barely 20 days for the elections. By now, one would think that the Congress and Gandhis would have geared up for a fight and finalised the strategy.
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However, despite the Congress’s Central Election Committee (CEC) unanimously pitching for Gandhis as candidates, the silence has continued. Sources say Gandhis, particularly Rahul Gandhi, is having some reservations and doubts. According to them, this issue was raised at a late-night meeting of the Gandhis and very close aides.
TO GIVE UP WAYANAD OR AMETHI?
Topping the areas of concern is if Rahul Gandhi wins from both Wayanad and Amethi/ Rae Bareilly, he would have to give up one. With the Congress being relatively strong in the South, giving up Wayanad before the state polls in Kerala could be suicidal.
In fact, this was the point made by Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) incumbent Amethi MP Smriti Irani when she had gone to Wayanad. She had said that just like he had abandoned Amethi, Rahul Gandhi would give up on Wayanad too. The Congress is hopeful of forming a government in the state during Assembly elections, so Wayanad cannot be abandoned.
PRIYANKA GANDHI VADRA: LOSE STAR CAMPAIGNER OR UP SEAT?
But then equally tough would be giving up Rae Bareilly or Amethi. Both are the last two holds of the Congress in the critical state of Uttar Pradesh. And with the Congress being weak in the north, giving up these states would make it a cakewalk for the BJP.
To those who suggested that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra could make a poll debut from one of these two seats, the concern raised was that very few days were left for campaigning and in case she loses, it would be a bad start for her political electoral debut.
There are also many who feel that she has been a successful campaigner. In case, she contests now she would be stuck in her constituency for the next 10 to 15 days. These days are critical for the Congress to perform well in the rest of the country as can it afford to lose a star campaigner and orator like Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who has been the most aggressive and effectively taking on the PM.
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The worry is that in case of this delay, the BJP would smile. Sources say Rahul Gandhi asked, “How long will we be caught in the BJP’s narrative?”
It’s a catch-22 situation now for the Gandhis. If they fight, there is a problem, if they don’t, there is a bigger problem — the tag of ‘runaway netas’ will stick to Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and this would give enough reason for Irani to have a cakewalk. More importantly for the BJP to permanently make the point that Rahul Gandhi is not really a fighter as he has been made out to be.
first published: April 29, 2024, 14:57 IST
Aisha Patel is a dedicated Indian correspondent with a deep understanding of the nation’s diverse affairs. With a background in Indian culture, politics, and current events, she provides in-depth analysis and timely reporting on domestic issues within India.
