In the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party has made some strategic moves regarding its key leaders. The party has shifted Rahul Gandhi’s constituency from Amethi to Rae Bareli, while fielding Kishori Lal Sharma from the Amethi seat. This decision comes amid speculation that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra might contest from Rae Bareli and Rahul Gandhi from Amethi. Additionally, Priyanka Gandhi’s husband, Robert Vadra, had expressed interest in contesting from Amethi. However, the final list of candidates released by the Congress party did not feature either Priyanka Gandhi or Robert Vadra.
Priyanka Gandhi extended her best wishes to Sharma, expressing confidence in his familiarity with the Amethi constituency and his ability to defeat Smriti Irani, the BJP’s candidate from the seat. Reports suggest that Priyanka Gandhi’s decision to opt out of the electoral race was a strategic move to counter the BJP’s allegations of dynasty politics against the Congress party. By fielding a party worker like Sharma, the Congress aims to mitigate the ‘dynasty’ allegation issue.
Another factor that may have influenced the Congress party’s decision is the allegation of land-related corruption against Robert Vadra by the BJP. This may have dissuaded the party from fielding him as a candidate.
Speculation also surrounds the possibility of internal dynamics within the Gandhi family contributing to Priyanka Gandhi’s non-candidature. Rebel Congress leaders and some BJP figures have suggested that the Rahul Gandhi faction within the party does not want Priyanka Gandhi to enter the electoral fray, as it may challenge Rahul Gandhi’s control over the party. While the Congress has refuted claims of any feud between the brother-sister duo, such conspiracy theories often circulate when Priyanka Gandhi is not given a ticket despite actively campaigning for the party across India.
Furthermore, there were rumors that if Rahul Gandhi were to win from both Rae Bareli and Wayanad, he would retain Rae Bareli, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra might contest from Wayanad in the subsequent by-poll. However, the Congress party’s final list of candidates has put these speculations to rest, at least for the time being.
As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approach, the Congress party’s strategic moves and candidate selections will undoubtedly come under scrutiny, with implications for the party’s electoral fortunes and internal dynamics.