Why Is Rahul Gandhi Contesting Raebareli Lok Sabha Seat? Congress Leader Reveals

Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said: "At present, if we have any supreme leader in Congress, it is Rahul Gandhi. That is why he has come here from Amethi."

Congress on Friday announced its candidates for the Amethi and Raebareli Lok Sabha seats, putting an end to the speculations surrounding the two key constituencies. While the BJP instantly attacked the Congress on its decision, claiming that Rahul fled the Amethi constituency in Uttar Pradesh in fear of a defeat, the Congress sought to defend its decision saying that its candidate KL Sharma is a ground-level worker and very senior leader. The Congress said that Kishori Lal Sharma knows nearly every face in Amethi, which makes him an ideal choice.

However, what was intriguing was the departure of Rahul Gandhi to the seat held by his mother and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi — Raebareli. Congress said that the party's decision to field Rahul from Raebareli was more due to tradition. Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said: "Traditionally, a senior member of the family is made to contest from Raebareli. At present, if we have any supreme leader in Congress, it is Rahul Gandhi. That is why he has come here from Amethi."

The Congress leader also commented on the party loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma's candidature from Amethi saying, "He knows every house, worker, and family in Amethi."

Congress Loyalist KL Sharma Files Nomination From Amethi Lok Sabha Constituency

As May 3 was the last date to file nomination for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls, Congress candidate KL Sharma filed his nomination from Amethi soon after the announcement. After filing his nomination he said: "Who will win or lose from here, it's in people's hands, we will work hard... Election is just a formality, people make their mood for those who work for them. People have this perception that whom they elected earlier was good or bad."

Talking about Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, he said: "The people of Amethi are in my heart. I have been here for 40 years. I am following what has been directed to me by the top leadership. I just want people to give me a chance in their service."

PM Modi Mocks Congress For Fielding Rahul Gandhi From Raebareli

During an election rally in West Bengals' Bardhaman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday mocked the Congress for not fielding any Gandhi family member from their traditional bastion — Amethi Lok Sabha seat — this year.

PM Modi took a jibe at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi referring to his slogan of 'daro mat [Don't be scared]' and instead said "Bhago mat [Don't run]."

The PM further said that there was no need for any opinion survey or exit poll as Congress will lose by an even greater margin than in the 2019  Lok Sabha polls. "I had predicted shehzaada [Rahul Gandhi] would lose Wayanad. That's why he was looking for a second seat. Their followers also said he would fight from Amethi. But he is so scared that he fled to Raebareli to look for a way out," PM Modi remarked on Rahul Gandhi's candidacy.