New Delhi, June 18, 2024 — Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has announced his decision to contest from the Rae Bareli seat, vacated by his mother Sonia Gandhi, while his sister Priyanka Gandhi will be the candidate for Wayanad. This decision was made during a Congress meeting on Monday.

"It was difficult for me to take this decision because the people of Wayanad have always stood by me," Rahul Gandhi stated. "I have a spiritual relationship with the people of both Rae Bareli and Wayanad. I am leaving Wayanad in capable hands as Priyanka will fight from there."

The meeting, held at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence, was attended by Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and AICC General Secretary (Organization) KC Venugopal.

Rahul Gandhi has a strong record in Rae Bareli, winning a significant number of votes. His mother, Sonia Gandhi, served as the Member of Parliament for Rae Bareli until 2019, following in the footsteps of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This year, Rahul secured more votes in Rae Bareli than Sonia did in the past, defeating the BJP candidate by nearly four lakh votes.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi lost from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh but won from Wayanad in Kerala. After his recent victory in Rae Bareli, he has decided to leave Wayanad for Priyanka.

The Congress Party, after securing 44 seats in 2014 and 52 seats in 2019, achieved a significant milestone by winning 99 seats in the recent Lok Sabha elections, regaining its status as the main opposition party. This resurgence means that the Congress will reclaim the post of 'Leader of Opposition' in the Lok Sabha after a decade.

The decision regarding Rahul Gandhi's candidacy was made during the Congress Working Committee meeting on June 8, recognizing his overwhelming victories in both Kerala's Wayanad and Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli. However, no official statement has been released by Rahul Gandhi or the Congress Party regarding this decision.