Rahul Gandhi returns to Rae Bareli, KL Sharma takes on Amethi challenge in LS polls

The Congress party announced on Friday that Rahul Gandhi will be contesting from the Raebareli Lok Sabha seat, while loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma will be contesting from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.

 This decision comes on the last date for filing nomination papers for both seats, with voting scheduled for May 20. Rahul, who lost the election from Amethi in 2019, has been given the responsibility to contest Raebareli - the seat held by his mother Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi won the Raebareli seat in 2019 by 1.67 lakh votes, defeating BJP's Dinesh Singh. This time, Singh is again the BJP candidate, having given Sonia a strong fight in the previous election. Meanwhile, Kishori Lal Sharma, a long-time Congress loyalist and active leader in Amethi and Raebareli, has been appointed as the party representative for the two seats. He is known for his accessibility and cordial nature, having worked in various party organizations for over four decades.

The decision to field Rahul Gandhi in Raebareli and Kishori Lal Sharma in Amethi signifies the Congress' intent to retain its bastions in Uttar Pradesh.

With voting just a few weeks away, the party is gearing up for a tough fight against the BJP, as both constituencies have historically been crucial for the Congress. This move reflects the party's strategic planning and commitment to securing victory in the upcoming elections.