Rahul Gandhi to contest elections from family borough Raebareli

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi will contest the general election from the family bastion in the north, his Congress party announced on Friday, a move that will challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a region he dominates.

Rahul, the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, will contest from Raebareli in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh state, Congress said, in addition to Wayanad in Kerala state in the south, which has already voted.

India allows candidates to contest multiple constituencies but they can represent only one.

Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state and elects 80 lawmakers to the lower house of parliament, the most of any state.

In the last election in 2019, Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and allies won 64 seats, including from Amethi, adjacent to Raebareli, where Rahul was defeated.

His return to the area, albeit for a second constituency, will invigorate the party, Congress officials said.

Rahul said being nominated from Raebareli was an "emotional moment" for him.

"My mother has entrusted me with the responsibility...with great confidence and given me the opportunity to serve it," he posted on X.

"In the ongoing battle for justice and against injustice, I seek the love and blessings of my loved ones. I am confident that all of you are standing with me in this battle to save the constitution and democracy," he said.

Rahul's mother Sonia won from Raebareli in 2019, which has returned a Congress candidate in 17 of the 20 elections held there since 1952, mostly members of the Gandhi family.

Sonia Gandhi is now a member of the upper house of parliament.

Modi is widely expected to win a rare third term in the general election that got underway on April 19 and concludes on June 1, with votes set to be counted on June 4.

Reuters