Raebareli LS Seat 'Will Remain With Gandhi Family': UP Congress Chief Amid Rumours Of Priyanka's Poll Debut

Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Ajay Rai confirmed that the Raebareli Lok Sabha constituency will remain under the Gandhi family.

File photo of UP Congress chief Ajai Rai

Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Ajay Rai asserted on Saturday that the Raebareli Lok Sabha constituency would remain under the patronage of the Gandhi family and there is the possibility of another family member entering the political arena from the constituency. As per news agency PTI, speaking to the press, Rai emphasised, "The people of Raebareli have deep connections with the Gandhi family going across generations. The seat is of the Gandhi family and will remain with the Gandhi family."

When probed about the potential candidate from the Gandhi family, Rai said, "This definitely will be decided by them (Gandhi family)."

This comes as former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who had represented the constituency since 2004, recently announced her decision not to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections citing health and age-related concerns.

"After this decision, I will not have the opportunity to serve you directly but my heart and soul will always remain with you. I know that you will stand by me and my family in the future, just as you had in the past," Sonia Gandhi stated in a message written in Hindi.

Media speculations suggest that with Sonia Gandhi's withdrawal, her daughter Priyanka Gandhi might step in to contest from Raebareli.

Congress Claims Camera Not Allowed To Accompany Rahul Gandhi During Vishwanath Temple Visit      

In another development, Rai alleged during his media interaction that cameras were prohibited when Rahul Gandhi visited the Kashi Vishwanath temple to offer prayers. He said, "All BJP leaders, when they come to offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple, are allowed to enter with cameras. No cameras were allowed with Rahul Gandhi and till now no photos have been released by the administration."

Rahul Gandhi, on the second day of the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' In UP, offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.

In a post on social media platform X, the Congress detailed the incident, claiming that despite assurances from the district administration, no photos of Rahul Gandhi's visit were provided.

"Despite continuous efforts for three and a half hours, the photo was not provided. Then seven photographs were sent but none of those was of darshan although the photo was taken by the temple cameraperson," the post read. The party reiterated its stance, condemning the incident as "pettiness" and asserting its resolve in the face of such obstacles.

आज सवेरे करीब 10.30 बजे @RahulGandhi जी ने काशी में बाबा विश्वनाथ मंदिर में दर्शन और अभिषेक किया।

अंतिम क्षण पर मंदिर में जाने के लिए हमारे कैमरा को मिली अनुमति निरस्त कर दी गई।

ज़िला प्रशासन ने आश्वस्त किया कि मंदिर के कैमरापर्सन द्वारा फोटो साझा की जाएगी।

साढ़े तीन घंटे तक…

— Congress (@INCIndia) February 17, 2024

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister Modi, implying his involvement in the incident. "All this has happened at the behest of the country's chief cameraman sitting in Delhi. This is his 'One Nation, One Photo' policy," remarked Ramesh, as per ANI.