Won’t contest Lok Sabha poll, Sonia says

In an emotional letter to the people of her constituency, Rae Bareli, Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, informed them that health concerns and age would not allow her to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

In the letter, Ms. Gandhi also subtly hinted at the possible entry of a family member from the seat as a bastion of the Gandhi family.

“I am proud to say that whatever I am today, I am because of you, and I have always done my best to honor your trust. Regarding health and age issues, I will not contest the next Lok Sabha election,” Ms. Gandhi said in her letter.

“After this decision, I cannot serve you directly, but my heart and soul will always remain with you. I know that you will stand by me and my family in future, just as you have in the past,” the 77-year-old leader added.

After Ms. Gandhi’s move to shift to the Rajya Sabha, there is speculation that her daughter and Congress general secretary, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, could contest from the Rae Bareli seat in Uttar Pradesh this time.

“My family in Delhi is incomplete without you. It will be complete when I come to Rae Bareli and meet all of you. My ties with you are very old. I have inherited these ties as a good fortune from my in-laws,” she said.

The CPP chairperson noted that Rae Bareli sent her father-in-law, Feroze Gandhi, to the Lok Sabha in the first general election held after Independence, and later mother-in-law and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

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