“It’s not about family; we are competing against BJP”: Akhilesh Yadav on candidature of Rahul Gandhi from Raebareli

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav commended the nomination of his ally Rahul Gandhi in the INDIA bloc, emphasizing a departure from familial focus to a collective commitment to safeguarding the Constitution. He stressed the significance of upholding the principles laid down by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, asserting that the joint effort against the BJP aims to empower marginalized communities. Yadav coined the term “Pichda Dalit Adivasi” (PDA) to symbolize this alliance’s resolve to triumph over the BJP and form the government. In expressing his congratulations to Rahul Gandhi, Yadav underlined the unity within the opposition alliance.

Meanwhile, amidst speculation, Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Raebareli, a traditional bastion of the Gandhi family, previously represented by his mother Sonia Gandhi in the outgoing Lok Sabha. There were earlier expectations of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s candidacy in either Amethi or Raebareli, both being crucial battlegrounds for the party in Uttar Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi, the incumbent MP from Wayanad in Kerala, who faced defeat in Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, is now vying against BJP candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh, a three-time MLC, in Raebareli. The Congress has nominated KL Sharma, a staunch loyalist of the Gandhi family, to contest against Smriti Irani in Amethi.

In a separate development, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took a dig at Rahul Gandhi’s choice of Rae Bareli over Amethi for the Lok Sabha elections, suggesting a retreat from the battlefield. He criticized Gandhi’s decision to contest from Wayanad after representing Amethi, and then choosing Raebareli when prompted to contest again from Amethi. Singh implied Gandhi’s actions as akin to abandoning the fight midway.

Voting for Amethi and Rae Bareli is scheduled for May 20 in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls, with the election results set to be announced on June 4.