Congress workers sit on dharna with demand to name Rahul as Amethi pick

LUCKNOW: Congress workers held a sit-in in Amethi on Tuesday, demanding that the party name a member of the Gandhi family as its candidate from the seat.

Raising slogans like ‘Amethi Mange Gandhi Parivaar’, they sat on dharna on the premises of the Amethi district office.

However, the Congress top brass maintained suspense on the issue even as they released a list of four candidates from Gurgaon (Haryana), Kangra and Hamirpur (Himachal Pradesh) and Mumbai North (Maharashtra).

The tension deepened when a list nominating Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka from Amethi and Rae Bareli started doing the rounds on social media. The party however quickly issues a rebuttal saying the list was fake.

“This appears to be a work of mischief… the party will make its announcement when the right time arrives,” said CP Rai, head of UP Congress media department. Most of the protesting Congress workers urged the leadership to field three-time MP Rahul Gandhi to contest from Amethi who lost to BJP’s Smriti Irani in 2019 elections.

They were also ready to welcome Priyanka Gandhi Vandra who they said has worked a lot for Congress consolidation in Amethi.

“Only three days for nomination are left… and we want Rahul Bhaiya to come back and claim our love for him,” said Avnish Mishra Senani, a committed worker.

“Amethi has a bond with both Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi… It has showered its love on Rahul Gandhi too. Even his uncle Sanjay Gandhi contested elections from here. He must come,” urged SK Barnwal, another worker.

Of the total 17 seats on which Congress is contesting this time, Amethi and Rae Bareli are the only seats on which candidates are to be declared.

The expectation was that the names would be revealed after the polling in Wayanad – from where Rahul Gandhi contested his election – held on Friday. Accordingly, the Central Election Committee met on Saturday. In the meeting, leaders from UP reiterated that both the party’s cadre and people want Gandhi family members to contest from the VIP seat.

The final decision was left with party president Mallikarjun Kharge who has spoken to the leadership. Insiders said that the announcement is expected anytime now. Amethi goes to the polls on May 20.

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