Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who has been facing health issues, filed her nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha election from Rajasthan. Reportedly, her ill-health makes it challenging to regularly visit Lok Sabha constituency. After former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Sonia will be the second member of the Gandhi family to do so. She will take over the seat now held by former Prime Minister and party stalwart Manmohan Singh. The Congress has the numbers to guarantee her election.
India Gandhi, mother-in-law of the former Congress chief, was a member of the Rajya Sabha from August 1964 to February 1967.
Earlier, Sonia Gandhi reached Jaipur by 10 am from Delhi. Her son and party leader Rahul Gandhi and incumbent party chief Mallikarjun Kharge were present during the nomination filing, the last date for which is February 15. The Rajya Sabha election will be conducted on February 27.
Highlighting her connection with Rajasthan, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot heartily welcomed the announcement by Sonia Gandhi. On social media post, he recalled Sonia Gandhi’s numerous visits to the State, some accompanying former Prime Minister and her late husband Rajiv Gandhi.
Mallikarjun Kharge already indicated about the move after he held a high-level meeting with other party leaders, including Mukul Wasnik, Ajay Maken, Salman Khurshid and KC Venugopal, on Monday. Sonia Gandhi’s shift to the Upper House means to leave the poll fray for the first time. Reportedly, Sonia Gandhi had other option of Himachal Pradesh. However, she opted for Rajasthan. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is retiring from the Rajya Sabha from this Western State. Other 55 Upper House members, belonging to 15 States, are taking retirement as well in April.
Sonia Gandhi, a five-time Lok Sabha MP, was Congress president for close to 22 years between 1998 and 2022 and was elected from Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi and Karnataka’s Bellary in 1999. Though, the former party chief retained Amethi in 2004, she vacated it for Rahul Gandhi and contested from Rae Bareli.
Speculation is doing the round about Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s electoral debut with consideration for Rae Bareli after Sonia Gandhi opted out from it. However, the senior leaders are still uncertain about it.
