In the fervor of the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party has unveiled another slate of candidates. Eminent actors Raj Babbar and seasoned politician Anand Sharma have scooped up tickets from the Gurugram and Kangra constituencies in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
This electoral battle marks Anand Sharma's first foray into running for the Lok Sabha. Previously inducted into the Rajya Sabha back in April 1984, Sharma has held his senatorial post for four terms. An influential minister during the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, Sharma concluded his tenure in the upper house in 2022 as Congress' deputy leader.
Additionally, the party has propelled Bhushan Patil from Maharashtra's Mumbai North constituency into the electoral arena. Similarly, former Una legislator Satpal Raizada is set to contest the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat for Congress in Himachal Pradesh, challenging BJP stalwart and Union Minister Anurag Thakur.
Source: aajtak
When are these constituencies voting?
It's earmarked for the Gurugram constituency in Haryana to vote in the sixth phase on May 25th. Kangra and Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh are set to cast their ballots in phase seven on June 1st. Mumbai North in Maharashtra is ticking its boxes in the fifth phase, on May 20th.
Suspense presides over Amethi and Raebareli
Conjectures abounded that Amethi and Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh might also see candidate announcements from the fresh list. Yet, it materialized with just four named, leaving suspense looming over these traditional Gandhi-Nehru bastions. Only a few days remain for filing nominations amidst local leaders protesting and buzzing about likely candidatures from Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi.
With nomination deadlines imminent, rumors are still afloat about Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting from these seats. Priyanka seems inclined toward Raebareli, with an official party endorsement expected following leadership's final decision. Congress supporters in Amethi have also rallied, urging the party to nominate a Gandhi family member for the constituency.
Party insiders hint at Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's desire to run from Raebareli, and a declaration of her candidacy seems likely after the central leadership's seal of approval. Meanwhile, speculation continues over Rahul Gandhi's stand in Amethi. The UP state leadership has already petitioned the central election committee and the party's high command to field Rahul from Amethi and Priyanka from Raebareli—an echo supported by CEC members in their recent meet.
Rahul Gandhi has been the face of Amethi since 2004, serving as its MP till a 2019 defeat by BJP's Smriti Irani. He currently represents Wayanad in Kerala, which he also contested in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
