Curated By: Sanstuti Nath
Last Updated: February 14, 2024, 13:17 IST
Gandhi, who represented Rae Bareli in Lok Sabha, will not contest the next general election (File Image: PTI)
Sonia Gandhi would be the second member of her family to enter the Rajya Sabha after former prime minister Indira Gandhi
Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has submitted her nomination papers in Jaipur for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Rajasthan. Her son Rahul Gandhi, daughter Priyanka Gandhi, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra, and leader of the opposition Tikaram Jully accompanied her to Vidhan Sabha while she filed her nomination.
Gehlot stated that Gandhi’s decision to choose Rajasthan as her Rajya Sabha constituency will have a positive impact on the party members and the people.
“She could have chosen any state to become a Rajya Sabha member, but her choice of Rajasthan will make headlines worldwide. Rajasthan will be widely discussed across the country and even internationally. It is a matter of pride for all of us that such an experienced leader is filing her nomination here. The NDA government will also be on alert now,” said former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
Before filing her nomination, Sonia Gandhi met with the party MLAs in the opposition lobby of the assembly. The Congress party is in a comfortable position to win one of the three Rajya Sabha seats from Rajasthan, which are up for election.
This will be the first time the 77-year-old leader serves in the Upper House, after having been a Lok Sabha MP for five terms.
Gandhi, who represented Rae Bareli in the Lok Sabha, has announced that she will not contest the next general election. Having served as a Lok Sabha MP for five terms, Gandhi stated in 2019 that it would be her last Lok Sabha election.
She was first elected in 1999 after assuming the role of Congress president.
Sonia Gandhi, as the Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson, will be the second member of the Gandhi family to enter the Rajya Sabha, following former prime minister Indira Gandhi, who served in the Upper House from August 1964 to February 1967.
Political experts believe that Sonia Gandhi’s decision to contest from Rajasthan instead of a southern state like Telangana or Karnataka, where the party is also in a strong position, indicates that the Congress’ first family is not abandoning the Hindi heartland.
What Happens To Rae Bareli Lok Sabha Constituency?
With just two months until the Lok Sabha polls, there are speculations that Sonia Gandhi’s daughter, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, may contest from the Rae Bareli parliamentary constituency after Sonia Gandhi opted out this time.
Priyanka Gandhi could also be considered for the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, previously held by Rahul Gandhi. However, the party leadership has yet to make a final decision on whether she will contest the Lok Sabha election, according to sources.
Rajya Sabha Polls
A total of 56 Rajya Sabha members from 15 states will retire in April, and the election for the seats will be held on February 27. The deadline for filing nominations is February 15.
The Congress party is in a favorable position to win one of the three Rajya Sabha seats from Rajasthan, which are up for election.
The seat will become vacant after former prime minister Manmohan Singh completes his six-year term in April. However, the Congress party has yet to officially announce any candidate for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections.
हिन्दी 