Why Rahul Gandhi picked Raebareli & Priyanka backed off | Explained

Putting an end to the uncertainty over its candidates in the last remaining fortresses in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has announced its candidates for Amethi and Raebareli. While Rahul who lost Amethi in 2019, has switched to Raebareli, a seat held by his mother Sonia Gandhi till she moved to the Rajya Sabha, Gandhi loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma has been pitted against Smriti Irani.

After losing Amethi to Smriti Irani in 2019, Rahul Gandhi seems to have turned gun shy. A second defeat to Irani could severely hurt his political stature, even within the Congress party.

By fielding loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma, who has been working on the ground in Amethi since 1983, Congress would put up a strong fight against Irani, without the Gandhis losing face.

Reports also suggest, Rahul was reluctant to give up the Wayanad seat. But with Priyanka bowing out of the race to focus on the party, her brother had to step up.

According to The Indian Express, Congress convinced Rahul to fight from Raebareli, given the Gandhis not contesting from the Hindi heartland would send a bad political message.

If Rahul were to win from both seats, he's likely to give up Wayanad, citing the family’s long connection with Raebareli, and his mother's winning streak.

Also watch: After months of speculation, Congress fields Rahul Gandhi from family bastion Raebareli