The Congress party has unveiled its initial list of 39 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, with prominent leader Rahul Gandhi set to contest from Kerala's Wayanad constituency once again. This decision was made public on Friday, indicating the party's strategic moves in key regions.
Among the notable names in the list, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal will vie for the Alappuzha seat in Kerala, while former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel will contest from Rajnandgaon. Additionally, Jyotsna Mahant, Tamradhwaj Sahu, and Shashi Tharoor are among the candidates for Korba, Mahasamund, and Thiruvananthapuram respectively.
Venugopal emphasized the inclusivity of the candidate list, revealing that 15 candidates represent the general category while the remaining 24 hail from diverse backgrounds including SC, ST, OBC, and minority communities. Ajay Maken, Congress treasurer, praised the blend of youthful energy and seasoned leadership within the list.
The announcement follows a thorough discussion within the Congress' Central Election Committee (CEC) regarding over 60 Lok Sabha seats across 11 states and union territories. Chaired by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, the meeting focused on constituencies in Delhi, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and other regions.
Highlighting the party's election fervor, Venugopal mentioned Rahul Gandhi's ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, currently traversing Gujarat and scheduled to culminate in Mumbai on March 17 with a massive rally. Congress President Kharge is extending invitations to all partners within the INDIA bloc to attend this event.
Speculation looms over Rahul Gandhi's potential candidacy in Amethi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's in Rae Bareli, both strongholds of the Gandhi family. While Rahul lost Amethi in 2019 but secured victory in Wayanad, Rae Bareli was previously held by Sonia Gandhi. Local Congress units have fervently advocated for their presence in these constituencies.
In addition to Kharge and Sonia Gandhi, Ambika Soni, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, T S Singhdeo, and Mohammad Jawaid are among the key members of the CEC steering the party's election strategies.
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