'Will Ensure Rahul's Absence Is Not Felt': Priyanka Gandhi On Her Poll Debut From Wayanad

In her first comments after being chosen to contest from the Wayanad seat in Kerala, which her brother Rahul Gandhi opted to vacate in favor of retaining the Raebareli seat in Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi expressed confidence that she will make sure his absence is not felt there.

“I am happy to contest from Wayanad. I will work to ensure his absence is not felt there. I will support my brother in both Raebareli and Wayanad. I am not nervous,” Priyanka said on Monday.

“I will work hard and I will try my best to make everyone happy and be a good representative. I have a very old relationship with Raebareli and Amethi and it cannot be broken,” she added.

The Congress’ top leadership gathered at party chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi to decide between Raebareli and Wayanad for Rahul Gandhi, who won both seats in the recently concluded 2024 Lok Sabha election with margins exceeding 3 lakh votes.

After the meeting, Rahul announced his decision to retain the family stronghold of Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, bringing an end to weeks of speculation.

The former Congress president, who had won both the Lok Sabha constituencies, must vacate one seat within 14 days of the June 4 Lok Sabha results.

Rahul won the Raebareli seat by defeating BJP’s Dinesh Pratap Singh with a margin of 3,90,030 votes. Additionally, he retained the Wayanad seat with a margin of 3,64,422 votes over his nearest rival, Communist Party of India-Marxist candidate Annie Raja.

Expressing gratitude to the people of Wayanad for their support, Rahul stated that Priyanka would contest the elections from the seat, with his periodic visits to the constituency.

‘Will periodically visit Wayanad’: Rahul Gandhi

“I have an emotional connection with Waynand and Raebareli. I was an MP from Wayanad for the last 5 years. I thank the people for their love and support. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will fight from elections from Wayanad but I will also periodically visit Wayanad,” Rahul said while speaking to reporters.

“I have an old relationship with Raebareli, I am happy that I will get to represent them again but it was a tough decision,” he added.

The meeting also addressed Rahul’s potential appointment as Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha.

Commenting on this matter, Priyanka said, “I have shared my views with Rahul on the Leader of Opposition position, and hopefully, a decision will be made soon.”

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, along with party general secretaries K C Venugopal and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were present during the discussions.