A day after filing her nomination papers from Rajasthan for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said that she will not contest the Lok Sabha elections due to health concerns. Sonia’s statement came after the Congress party announced her candidature for the polls to the Upper House, scheduled to take place on February 27.
In a letter to the people of Raebareli, Sonia Gandhi wrote, “Due to health and increasing age, I will not contest the next Lok Sabha elections. After this decision, I will not get the opportunity to serve you directly, but, certainly, my heart and soul will always be with you.”
CPP चेयरपर्सन श्रीमती सोनिया गांधी जी का रायबरेली की जनता के नाम संदेश- pic.twitter.com/6zlJkWjwvi— Congress (@INCIndia) February 15, 2024
In the letter, she also expressed her deep-rooted connection to Raebareli and its people, acknowledging the enduring support and love they gave her.
Sonia Gandhi, who entered active politics in 1999 after becoming an MP from Amethi, has represented the Rae Bareli seat in Lok Sabha since 2004. Notably, Amethi and Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh were believed to be Congress’ bastions. However, party leader Rahul Gandhi lost Amethi during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls to BJP leader Smriti Irani.
Sonia Gandhi to Contest Rajya Sabha Polls
Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday filed her nomination papers in Jaipur for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls from Rajasthan. Her son Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi, along with former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, accompanied her to Vidhan Sabha while she filed her nomination.
Responding to the ex-Congress chief’s decision, Gehlot said that Sonia Gandhi, choosing Rajasthan as her Rajya Sabha constituency, will send a positive message among the party cadre and to the people.
A total of 58 Rajya Sabha members — including eight Union ministers, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and BJP national president JP Nadda — will retire by the first week of May this year.
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