As Deadline For Nomination Nears, Hoardings Featuring Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Pop Up In Amethi

Amethi and Rae Bareli are considered as traditional pocket boroughs of the Gandhi-Nehru family as its members have represented the seats for several decades.

With less than 24 hours remaning before the filing ends for the hot-seat of Amethi, all eyes are on the Amethi and Raebareli Lok Sabha constituencies. 

The Congress on Wednesday announced that the party would name the candidates for the seats with high-stake contests in 24 hours as the last date for filing nominations for the seats is May 3.

However, speculations remained rife today even as the party remained mum over the choice of candidates.

Meanwhile, hoardings featuring Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was put up outside Congress office in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.

Amethi and Rae Bareli are considered as traditional pocket boroughs of the Gandhi-Nehru family as its members have represented the seats for several decades.

Earlier today, the BJP announced its candidate for Raebareli naming Dinesh Pratap Singh from the constituency. Raebareli will go to polls in the fifth phase on May 20. 

Dinesh Pratap Singh, an MLC, is a minister in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet in Uttar Pradesh.  

PTI quoting sources said Rahul Gandhi is likely to contest from Rae Bareli, but a final call is yet to be taken by the first family of the Congress.

The report further said Priyanka Gandhi is also keen to contest from the Rae Bareli seat, but Rahul Gandhi is not favourable to the idea, considering the criticism of dynasty politics by PM Narendra Modi against the Congress leadership.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday said a decision on the candidates would be announced in the next 24-30 hours. He said that the party's central election committee (CEC) has empowered Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to finalise the candidates for Amethi and Rae Bareli.