Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
– Photo : Amar Ujala Graphics
Expansion
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi will remain an MP from Rae Bareli, while Priyanka Gandhi will contest the by-election on the Wayanad seat. This decision of the Congress is not spontaneous, but has political meaning. The party is excited by the public support it received in the Lok Sabha elections. Congress is hopeful that under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, the political crop will flourish again in Uttar Pradesh.
Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi had raised the issue of caste census and participation of backward and Dalits as soon as he reached the border of Uttar Pradesh during his padyatra. This issue was also constantly raised during the Lok Sabha election campaign. Programmes like Lok Sabha constituency-wise conference of backward classes and Sanvidhan Raksha Ka Sankalp were also held. The result of these programmes was that the party was successful in increasing the vote percentage. The worker gratitude conference held in Rae Bareli immediately after winning the election is also a part of this strategy. The party is preparing to organise gratitude conferences in every Lok Sabha constituency soon to express gratitude to the workers and common voters.
Now Rahul Gandhi has announced to remain MP from Rae Bareli. It is clear from this that Congress is trying to establish its roots in Uttar Pradesh again. To some extent, the trend of the public and leaders of other parties is also telling this, because many leaders of backward Dalit and minority class are continuously joining Congress. The party strategists say that Rahul Gandhi’s being MP from Rae Bareli will directly benefit in the upcoming assembly elections. By strengthening our hold not only in the Lok Sabha but also in the assembly in Uttar Pradesh, a message can be given to the whole country. Congress state president Ajay Rai says that the enthusiasm of the workers has increased after the Lok Sabha elections. Every leader and worker of the party is ready to enter the field again. Rahul Gandhi’s being MP from Rae Bareli will give strength to the party and increase enthusiasm.
MPs increased from one to six, vote percentage also increased
In the Lok Sabha elections, Congress has increased from one seat to six seats, while it stood second in 11 Lok Sabha constituencies. The party maintained its dominance in Rae Bareli and settled the score in Amethi after five years. At the same time, it managed to wave the flag after 40 years in Prayagraj, Saharanpur. In the seats where Congress stood second, the vote share has increased by 40 percent compared to 2019. In Uttar Pradesh, Congress was able to get 7.53 percent votes in the year 2014 and 6.36 percent in 2019, but in the year 2024 it has reached 9.46 percent. Party leaders say that this election result is also important in terms of assembly elections, which will give a new lease of life to the party.