Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to retain the Raebareli Lok Sabha seat and resign from the Wayanad seat in Kerala, as confirmed by party sources to India Today TV. He won both seats by significant margins in the recent Lok Sabha elections. A final decision on this matter is anticipated before June 17.
According to the Representation of the People Act, a person can contest elections from up to two constituencies but can only retain one seat. They must resign from the other within 14 days of the results, or they risk losing both seats.
Rahul Gandhi Likely to Retain Raebareli Seat
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to keep the Raebareli seat after winning in two constituencies in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Party members are reportedly split on this decision, but many are pushing for Gandhi to maintain the Raebareli stronghold. An official announcement is anticipated before the June 17 deadline.
“This decision has to be taken before June 17 and it will come in 3 to 4 days,” stated Congress leader KC Venugopal on Saturday.
According to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a candidate can run in elections from up to two constituencies but must eventually choose one to retain. Previously, there was no limit on the number of constituencies a candidate could contest until the law was amended in 1996.
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Rahul Gandhi’s Seat Dilemma
During the Congress Working Committee meeting held on Saturday, there were discussions about whether Rahul Gandhi should keep his Raebareli or Wayanad seat. While some, like Kerala MP Kodikkunnil Suresh, supported Rahul keeping the Wayanad seat, the majority leaned towards Raebareli, sources revealed.
Aradhana Mishra, Congress Legislative Party leader from Uttar Pradesh, emphasized Raebareli’s significance as the traditional seat of the Gandhi family, urging Rahul to maintain it. Leaders also highlighted the importance of Rahul Gandhi holding onto Raebareli for the Congress’s resurgence in Uttar Pradesh, which holds 80 Lok Sabha seats, as per sources.
Raebareli has been a Congress stronghold since 1952, except for three terms. Sonia Gandhi held the seat from 2004 to 2019 and passed it to Rahul Gandhi for the 2024 elections, where he defeated BJP’s Dinesh Pratap Singh by 3,90,030 votes.
In Wayanad, Rahul won against CPI’s Annie Raja with a margin of 3,64,422 votes. Rahul Gandhi is anticipated to visit Raebareli next week, accompanied by Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.
Deadline for Selecting Seat
After the Lok Sabha election results, candidates who win from multiple seats have to decide which one they want to keep within 14 days. For Rahul Gandhi, this means he has to choose by June 17. If he doesn’t make a decision, he could lose both seats.
This decision needs to happen before the oath-taking ceremony, which is likely to take place next week. So, Rahul Gandhi needs to pick his seat before that ceremony happens.
What Party Leaders Want for Raebareli?
According to reports from sources within the party, many leaders are pushing for Rahul Gandhi to take up the Raebareli seat. This seat is highly important for the party strategically, as it plays a crucial role in the Congress party’s political resurgence in Uttar Pradesh.
Since 1952, Congress (and Janata Party) leaders have been representing this constituency, except for two terms won by BJP leader Ashok Singh. Sonia Gandhi held this seat for almost two decades before passing it on to her son in the recent elections. There were rumors previously suggesting the possibility of Priyanka Gandhi contesting from Raebareli before Rahul Gandhi was declared the candidate.
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Rahul Gandhi Likely to Retain Raebareli Seat FAQs
Q.1. What is the Representation of the People Act?
Ans. The Representation of the People Act governs elections in India, specifying rules regarding candidacy, voting, and seat allocation in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
Q.2. When must candidates who win from multiple seats decide which one to keep?
Ans. Candidates winning from multiple seats must decide within 14 days of the election results, as per the Representation of the People Act. Failure to decide could result in losing both seats.
Q.3. Why is Raebareli significant for Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party?
Ans. Raebareli is a stronghold for the Congress party, traditionally held by the Gandhi family. Its retention is crucial for the party’s political standing, especially in Uttar Pradesh, where it holds 80 Lok Sabha seats.
Q.4. Who held the Raebareli seat before Rahul Gandhi?
Ans. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul’s mother, held the Raebareli seat from 2004 to 2019. The seat has been predominantly represented by Congress (and Janata Party) leaders since 1952, with occasional interruptions.
Q.5. When is the deadline for Rahul Gandhi to choose his seat?
Ans. Rahul Gandhi must decide which seat to retain by June 17, according to the Representation of the People Act. This decision is critical as it impacts his parliamentary representation and party dynamics.
