Congress announces candidates for Rajya Sabha polls

The Indian National Congress (INC) unveiled its list of nominees for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, fielding a diverse slate of experienced leaders from across the country. Among the prominent names selected by the party are Ajay Maken, Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, and G.C. Chandrashekhar from Karnataka, Ashok Singh from Madhya Pradesh, Renuka Chowdhury, and M. Anil Kumar Yadav from Telangana.

With a total of 56 Rajya Sabha seats up for grabs in 15 states, the Congress is vying to make its mark in the upper house of Parliament. The elections are scheduled for February 27, and the deadline for filing nominations is February 15.

Adding to the excitement, Congress sources have confirmed that former party president Sonia Gandhi will make her Rajya Sabha debut, representing Rajasthan in the upcoming elections. This marks a significant moment for Gandhi, who has long been a prominent figure in Indian politics. She is expected to file her nomination papers in Jaipur on Wednesday, accompanied by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, her son Rahul Gandhi, and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

While Gandhi has served as a Lok Sabha MP for Rae Bareli for five terms since 1999, she has decided not to run in the upcoming general election. Nevertheless, her entry into the Rajya Sabha is seen as a strategic move to bolster the party’s presence in the upper house.

The Congress is well-positioned to secure one of Rajasthan’s three Rajya Sabha seats, given its strong presence in the state. The seat will become vacant when former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s term ends in April.

Meanwhile, speculation has been swirling about the possibility of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting from the Raebareli Lok Sabha constituency, the seat previously held by her brother Rahul Gandhi. While the party leadership has yet to make a final decision, reports indicate that she may be considered for the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, which was also previously represented by Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress party’s strategic moves in nominating its Rajya Sabha candidates and the potential entry of Sonia and Priyanka Gandhi into the electoral fray are adding intrigue to the upcoming elections. The party aims to strengthen its position in both the upper and lower houses of Parliament and make a strong showing in the upcoming general election.?