Rahul Gandhi to retain Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat, Priyanka to contest from Wayanad

New Delhi: The suspense over Rahul Gandhi retaining either the Rae Bareli or the Wayanad Lok Sabha seats came to an end, when the former Congress president decided to retain his family bastion of Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli.

The decision was taken at a meeting that took place at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and was attended by Chairman of Congress Parliamentary Party Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and general secretary in-charge of organisation KC Venugopal.

Addressing the media after the meeting Kharge said, "It was a difficult decision for Rahul Gandhi. He won from two Lok Sabha seats. But as per law he cannot represent both the seats and has to vacate one. It was decided that Rahul Gandhi will keep the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat and vacate the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat".

"In the meeting it was also decided that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will contest from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat," he added.

Meanwhile, thanking the people of Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi said, "I have an emotional connection with Rae Bareli and Wayanad. I have been an MP from Wayanad for the last five years. The people of Wayanad gave me lots of love and I thank them for this.

Priyanka will contest from Wayanad but I will also periodically visit Wayanad and the promises that we have made to Wayanad we will fulfill them. I have an old relation with Rae Bareli and I will again represent it. This was not an easy decision as I had a connection with both the places. I want the people of Wayanad to know that Priyanka will contest from Wayanad."

He further said, "Priyanka Gandhi is going to fight the Lok Sabha election and I am confident she is going to win and she is going to be a good representative for the people of Wayanad.

The people of Wayanad will have two Members of Parliament one is me and the other is my sister. My doors are always open for all of you".

Notably, Rahul Gandhi had a fantastic win in both the Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 election.

The party wanted the Gandhi family to contest from Rae Bareli that was represented by Sonia Gandhi for a long time, before she opted for the Rajya Sabha due to health reasons.