Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Live Updates: Congress fields 3 candidates in Gujarat in its 13th poll list

PM Narendra Modi will kick off the ruling BJP's Lok Sabha election campaign in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday with a roadshow in Jabalpur constituency. This will be Modi's first visit to the state since the Model Code of Conduct came into force on March 16.

"The PM will lead a roadshow in Jabalpur on April 7 evening," BJP's city unit president Prabhat Sahu told PTI.

Later on Tuesday, the PM will address a public meeting in Balaghat, said Ram Kishore Kavre, chief of the party's Balaghat district unit.

The Election Commission has planned to use helicopters to ferry electronic voting machines and polling personnel to 167 booths in three Lok Sabha constituencies of Chhattisgarh -- Bastar, Kanker, and Mahasamund -- in view of the Maoist threat as well as geographical location, an official said on Thursday, PTI reported.

Elections to the 11 Lok Sabha seats in the state will be held in three phases on April 19, April 26 and May 7 and votes will be counted on June 4."We have decided to airlift 1,003 polling staff at 167 booths in the first two phases. For this we have sought 10 helicopters from the Election Commission of India", Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Shailabh Sahu told PTI.

"As per the plan, 919 polling personnel will be sent to 156 polling stations by helicopters in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency and 84 personnel to nine booths in Kanker LS and two in Gariaband area of Mahasamund LS," he said.

This move is due to the Naxal threat and geographical location of the booths, the official added.

Robert Vadra, businessman and husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on Thursday spoke on his prospects of fighting the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, which was a Congress stronghold till 2019, saying that “people of the constituency expect him to be their representative”.

He also targeted the current BJP MP from Amethi Smriti Irani, saying that the people of the constituency think they have made a mistake by electing her.

On being asked if he will fight from Amethi, Vadra, speaking to news agency ANI, said, “…The people of Amethi expect me to represent their constituency if I decide to become a member of Parliament…For years, the Gandhi family worked hard in Rae Bareli, Amethi and Sultanpur…The people of Amethi are really troubled by the current Member of Parliament, they think they have made a mistake by electing her…”

Delhi | On UP's Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, Robert Vadra says, "...The people of Amethi expect me to represent their constituency if I decide to become a member of Parliament...For years, the Gandhi family worked hard in Rae Bareli, Amethi and Sultanpur...The people of Amethi… pic.twitter.com/2kdmgQtrvv

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2024

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which spearheaded the 2020-21 farmers' stir against the Centre's now-repealed farm laws, on Thursday said it will urge people to "punish" the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said at a press conference that a rally will be held in Punjab's Jagraon on May 21 as part of its plans to intensify the protest against the BJP, news agency PTI reported. "Our slogan will be 'BJP harao, corporate bhajao (defeat BJP, chase out corporates)'," Rajewal said.

The decision to oppose the BJP was taken during the Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.

Watch: PM Narendra Modi holds an impromptu roadshow in West Bengal's Cooch Behar as people throng roads to greet him after his rally

VIDEO | Visuals of PM Modi's (@narendramodi) impromptu roadshow in West Bengal's Cooch Behar as people thronged the roads to greet him earlier today.

(Source: Third party) pic.twitter.com/UEpYeTBDAv

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 4, 2024

BJP president J P Nadda on Thursday asked people of Uttarakhand to give all the five Lok Sabha seats in the state to the BJP again to help Narendra Modi return as prime minister for a third term and make India the third biggest economy in the world.
"It is your national responsibility," Nadda told his first election meeting in Uttarakhand's Vikasnagar in support of Ajay Tamta, the BJP candidate from the Almora Lok Sabha seat.

VIDEO | Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Here’s what BJP chief JP Nadda (@JPNadda) said while addressing a public gathering in Vikasnagar, Uttarakhand.

“This is ‘devbhoomi’ and the people here are ‘devtulya’. This is also a ‘veerbhoomi’. Whenever the country faced danger, the people of… pic.twitter.com/LNlC8AzdVP

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 4, 2024

Ahead of the elections, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, in a message to voters, said, "...The Republic of India today is facing an existential threat. The character of this republic is secular-democratic, and that character has to be safeguarded and strengthened. To do that, this current government and PM Modi have to be distanced from holding the reins of power.”

VIDEO | Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Here’s what CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) said on the upcoming polls.

“Our main message to the voters is that the Republic of India today is facing an existential threat. The character of this republic is… pic.twitter.com/sFOoLCfD8U

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 4, 2024

The politics of TMC, Congress and Left is based on lies, deceit and false propaganda. Addressing a massive @BJP4Bengal rally in Cooch Behar. https://t.co/15HtFpP27v

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed a massive crowd in West Bengal's Cooch Bihar, the district where CM Mamata Banerjee was also holding a public rally.

At his rally, the PM said that he and his party have taken tough decisions to ensure the country is free of corruption and terrorism: He also slammed the TMC, Congress and the Left, saying that their governance is based on lies, deceit and false propaganda.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during her rally in Cooch Behar said that a poisonous snake can be trusted, but not the BJP. Banerjee also accused the BJP of not following the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha polls. “You can trust a poisonous snake; you can even pet it, but you can never trust the BJP… The BJP is destroying the country,” she said. Banerjee alleged that the central investigating agencies, BSF and CISF are working at the behest of the BJP and urged the Election Commission to look into it and ensure a level-playing field.

With PTI inputs

Gourav Vallabh has joined BJP after quitting Congress.

Watch video:

Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi took oath as the Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan Sonia Gandhi filled the vacant seat after Manmohan Singh retired on April 3.

Former Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam, who was expelled from party yesterday said today that he had tendered his resignation before being pushed out. Nirupam lambasted Congress party saying there are different power centres within the grand old party. Earlier there used to be one power centre in the Congress party... but now there are five power centres in the Congress party and all five have their own lobbies which keep clashing with each other...In these five centres, first is Sonia Gandhi, second is Rahul Gandhi, third is Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, fourth is Mallikarjun Kharge and last is Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal ji... all of them are doing politics in their own way..."

#WATCH | On his expulsion from the Congress party, Sanjay Nirupam says, "Earlier there used to be one power centre in the Congress party... but now there are five power centres in the Congress party and all five have their own lobbies which keep clashing with each other...In… pic.twitter.com/yg0TN3iJFQ

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2024

Those who were earlier accusing each other of corruption now rallying against Modi,  PM said in a vieled remark against Congress and AAP. 

PTI input

Congress and RJD disrespected Karpoori Thakur, while BJP awarded Bharat Ratna to him, PM Modi says in Bihar

Reiterating his dig at Congress over corruption, Modi said in a rally at Jamui in Bihar, "Modi says brashtachar hatao, they say brashtachar bachao."

BJP using central agencies in elections: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at Cooch Behar rally. 

Congress, its ally RJD brought disrepute to the nation, said PM Modi during his rally in Bihar

Holding rally in Bihar, PM Modi said, "Glad my little brother Chirag has stepped into the shoes of my friend late Ram Vilas Paswan."

Watch video:

????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ?????-????? ?? ????-??????? ?? ???? ???????? ????? ?? ??? ??? https://t.co/iFzdy1bbpA

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a rally in Bihar today. Ahead of his rally, Bihar Deputy CM and BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha, 'Tejashwi Yadav can't think beyond his family. PM Modi talks 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas'. PM Modi had sounded the poll bugle from Jamui last time and BJP had won 39 seats out of 40. This time as well, he's starting from Jamui. We'll win 40 out of 40 seats this time and go '400 paar'.' 

VIDEO | Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Here's what Bihar Deputy CM and BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha said on PM Narendra Modi's public rally in Jamui and comment of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

'Tejashwi Yadav can't think beyond his family. PM Modi talks 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas'. PM Modi… pic.twitter.com/GcDXjlYr6C

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 4, 2024

After filing nomination from Mathura Lok Sabha constituency, BJP leader Hema Malini said, "There are several issues, including (cleaning of) Yamuna river, 'chaurasi kos parikrama'. We will bring rail strip in Mathura."

Watch video:

VIDEO | Here's what Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema), BJP leader and party's candidate from #Mathura Lok Sabha seat, said after filing her nomination papers.

"There are several issues, including (cleaning of) Yamuna river, 'chaurasi kos parikrama'. We will bring rail strip in… pic.twitter.com/SJ8OS0Ggl5

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 4, 2024

As veteran Congress leader Sonia Gandhi takes oath as Rajya Sabha member, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge wished her a fruitful tenure ahead. In a post on X, the Congress leader wrote, "My best wishes to the Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson, Smt. Sonia Gandhi as she begins her new innings, by taking oath in the Rajya Sabha, today. Her courageous resilience and dignified grace, in the wake of adversity and upheaval, shall continue to guide our Parliamentary strategy. She has completed 25 years serving the Lok Sabha, and now my fellow members and I await her presence in the Upper House. I wish her a fruitful tenure ahead."

My best wishes to the Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson, Smt. Sonia Gandhi as she begins her new innings, by taking oath in the Rajya Sabha, today.

Her courageous resilience and dignified grace, in the wake of adversity and upheaval, shall continue to guide our… pic.twitter.com/ReMunHsCbq

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) April 4, 2024

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi takes oath as member of Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan. 

NDA candidate and union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar files nomination from Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency

PTI

After resigning from Congress party, Gourav Vallabh told PTI, “I am upset due to the Congress party’s silence when party leaders speak against the 'sanatan'. I am also upset with the party’s stand on the Ram Mandir issue.”

VIDEO | Here’s what former Congress leader Gourav Vallabh (@GouravVallabh) said after resigning from the party.

“I am upset due to the Congress party’s silence when party leaders speak against the 'sanatan'. I am also upset with the party’s stand on the Ram Mandir issue.” pic.twitter.com/cmCKVZPMna

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 4, 2024

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and former president Rahul Gandhi will release the Congress party manifesto for Loksabha elections, 2024 at 11.30 AM, tomorrow, April 5, 2024 at AICC Headquarters in New Delhi.

Samajwadi Party leader Fakhrul Hasan Chaand said in response to Gourav Vallabh quitting Congress,"Those who've a change of heart, have a set line to speak. He had to speak that to join BJP. Samajwadi Party has not much to say."

VIDEO | Here's what Samajwadi Party leader Fakhrul Hasan Chaand said on Gourav Vallabh quitting Congress.

"Those who've a change of heart, have a set line to speak. He had to speak that to join BJP. Samajwadi Party has not much to say."#LSPolls2024WithPTI… pic.twitter.com/duYuvq1nMn

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 4, 2024

Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, the Gautam Buddh Nagar police has imposed restrictions under CrPC section 144 across Noida and Greater Noida till April 26. A few protests have been planned in the wake of the polls and Chaitra Nav Ratri, Eid, Ambedkar Jayanti and Ramnavmi festivals are also upcoming.

"In view of all of this, the possibility of disturbance of peace by anti-social elements cannot be ruled out. In order to maintain peace in Gautam Buddh Nagar, it is necessary that any mischievous elements should be prevented from carrying out such activities which may create an unfavourable environment," the police said in its order, issued Wednesday.

"Considering the seriousness and urgency of the situation and due to paucity of time, it is not possible to provide an opportunity of hearing to any other party, hence this order is being passed ex-parte," Additional DCP (law and order) Hirdesh Katheriya stated in the order, issuing restrictions under CrPC section 144 from April 3 to 26.

The order prohibits unlawful assembly of five or more people, unauthorised processions or demonstrations. Private drones in a radius of 1 km of government establishments have been banned along with sticks, rods, tridents, swords, and firearms in public places.

"Namaz, pooja, or any type of religious processions will be completely prohibited in public places and public routes. In unavoidable circumstances, permission will have to be taken from the police commissioner, or the additional commissioner of police or deputy commissioner of police zone concerned," the order stated.

"No person will neither try nor inspire anyone to offer puja, namaz at disputed sites where the practice is not prevalent. Apart from this, no person will insult each other's religious scriptures. Will not put any kind of religious flags, banners, posters on religious places, walls, nor will he provide assistance to anyone in this work," it added.

With PTI inputs

BJP supporters begin celebration in Bengaluru as party's Bengaluru South constituency candidate Tejasvi Surya will shortly file nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Tejasvi Surya is one of the well-known and young faces of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and an MP from Bangalore South constituency in the Lok Sabha. In the 2019 general elections, Tejasvi contested from the prestigious Bangalore South constituency, known as a BJP stronghold. He had secured a resounding victory, defeating his opponents by a significant margin.

#WATCH | Karnataka: BJP supporters begin celebration in Bengaluru as party's Bengaluru South constituency candidate Tejasvi Surya will shortly file nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. pic.twitter.com/kj4hk9nPYw

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2024

A day after Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination in Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hit out at the Congress party saying, "Congress was unable to show its or IUML flag during Rahul Gandhi's roadshow in Wayanad as it was afraid."

It should be noted that Vijayan is a key face of the INDIA alliance partner - CPIM.

Rahul Gandhi held a large roadshow that was conspicuously devoid of flags belonging to the Congress or its allies, including the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) which holds a significant sway in the seat. Rahul called the people of Wayanad his family and said the elections are a fight for democracy and the Constitution.

A day after the Congress announced expulsion of Sanjay Nirupam, the former Mumbai unit chief in a post on X said that he had resigned from the grand old party ahead of the expulsion. "Looks like, immediately after the party received my resignation letter last night, they decided to issue my expulsion. Good to see such promptness. Just sharing this info. I will give detail statement today between 11.30 to 12 PM," Nirupam wrote.

"Looks like, immediately after the party received my resignation letter last night, they decided to issue my expulsion. Good to see such promptness. Just sharing this info. I will give detail statement today between 11.30 to 12 PM," posts Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam). pic.twitter.com/9esxCM51ep

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 4, 2024

Congress spokesperson Gaurav Vallabh resigned from the grand old party on Thursday. In a post on X, Vallabh wrote, "I am not able to feel comfortable with the directionless way in which the Congress Party is moving forward today. I can neither raise anti-Sanatan slogans nor abuse the wealth creators of the country in the morning and evening. That is why I I am resigning from all posts and primary membership of Congress Party."

???????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ??? ??,????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ????? ???? ?? ?? ???.??? ?? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ??? ?? ?? ?? ????-??? ??? ?? ????? ????????? ?? ???? ?? ????.????? ??? ???????? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ? ???????? ??????? ?? ???????? ?? ?????? pic.twitter.com/Xp9nFO80I6

— Prof. Gourav Vallabh (@GouravVallabh) April 4, 2024

Minutes after its leader walked out of Tihar Jail after six months, the Aam Aadmi Party shared a video on X.

??? ?? ?????, ??? ?? ??? ?#SanjaySinghIsBack pic.twitter.com/spalATRIf7

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) April 3, 2024

India’s first Olympic medallist in boxing and a Congress leader, joined the BJP on Wednesday. Singh had fought the 2019 Lok Sabha election unsuccessfully from the South Delhi constituency as a Congress candidate. His name was doing the rounds for the last few days as the party’s nominee from Mathura, from where actor and incumbent MP Hema Malini is contesting again, according to news agency PTI. Singh comes from the Jat community, which has political influence in a large number of seats in Haryana, the state he comes from, western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee has filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer against the BJP and its Nagpur candidate Nitin Gadkari for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct.

The MPCC has said that Gadkari and the BJP have been "using school children for the purpose of their personal campaign".  

"Despite clear directives from the Election Commission regarding the prohibition of involving children in election-relate activities, BJP and Nitin Gadkari have been using school children for the purpose of their personal campaign," the MPCC said in a letter to the CEO.

Congress party's sitting MP and candidate Rahul Gandhi says, "This election is a fight for democracy and for the Constitution of India. On one side are the forces that want to destroy the democracy of this country and the Constitution of this country. And on the other side, there is a force that is protecting the Constitution and protecting the democratic nature of our country. It's very clear to all of you who is on which side. It is very clear who's attacking the Constitution, who is attacking the democratic structure of this country."

#WATCH | Wayanad, Kerala: Congress party's sitting MP and candidate Rahul Gandhi says, 'This election is a fight for democracy and for the Constitution of India. On one side are the forces that want to destroy the democracy of this country and the Constitution of this country.… pic.twitter.com/AVWVtsv2sQ

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said opposition leaders develop cold feet seeing the enthusiasm of BJP workers, and asked them to work with a resolve to break all old poll records.

Addressing a digital rally of Uttar Pradesh BJP workers at 22,648 booths in 10 Lok Sabha seats through the NaMo App, Modi said new records are being made in polls due to the hard work of BJP workers. Modi said the "soul of victory in elections lies in the victory of the polling booth" and stressed that they "will have to work with a resolve to break all old records of the polling booths".

"Be it Lok Sabha elections or assembly polls, new records are being made due to your hard work. I am happy to see your enthusiasm but seeing your enthusiasm, other party leaders develop cold feet," he said.

Prime Minister Modi connected with party workers of Sambhal, Badaun, Bareilly, Aonla, Etah, Hathras, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Firozabad and Mainpuri Lok Sabha seats.

Voting for these 10 seats will be held in the third phase of Lok Sabha polls on May 7. (PTI)

#WATCH | Kerala: After filing his nomination, Congress party's sitting MP and candidate Rahul Gandhi holds election campaign in Wayanad#LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/z3klqUyYTf

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2024

In a significant announcement, Omar Abdullah, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the Vice-President of the National Conference, revealed that his father, Farooq Abdullah, the president of the party and sitting Member of Parliament from Srinagar, will not be contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections due to health concerns. (PTI)

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, campaigning in Delhi, took a dig at the Narendra Modi-led government. “We have worked for the people diligently in the past and have stood by our promises always. Today, Modi keeps talking about his guarantees but these guarantees have no ground,” he said.

???? ???????????? ?? ?????, ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? 2024 ??? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ??? @BJP4UP ?? ?????? ?? ???????? ???????????? ?? ??? ????? ?? ?????????? ????? ?? ??? ????https://t.co/PMqvTQWh0D

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 3, 2024

Unmesh Patil, a BJP MP from Jalgaon in north Maharashtra who didn't receive the party ticket for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, joined the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT).

He made the switch official at 'Matoshree', the residence of Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai, accompanied by his supporters. Sanjay Raut, a Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, stated that Patil's joining would strengthen the party's position in Jalgaon and north Maharashtra, potentially easing their path to victory.

The BJP replaced Patil with Smita Wagh in the Jalgaon parliamentary constituency. Patil's meeting with Raut earlier had sparked speculation about his political future. In Maharashtra, the BJP is contesting the Lok Sabha polls as part of the 'Mahayuti' alliance, along with the Shiv Sena and the NCP, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, respectively. Maharashtra has a total of 48 Lok Sabha seats, and the polls are scheduled to be held in five phases from April 19 to May 20.

Tamil Nadu BJP president and party's Coimbatore candidate K Annamalai says, "Union Home Minister Amit Shah is coming to Tamil Nadu for two days...The PM is working hard. Will the CM (MK Stalin) work like him?.... After speaking the truth about Kachchatheevu, DMK is frustrated.… pic.twitter.com/uO0lera7Nb

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2024

K Annamalai, the BJP candidate from Coimbatore, has ignited the campaign fervour with a dynamic roadshow today. Starting at Teppakulam Maidanam in Madurai, Annamalai embarked on the journey aboard an open-roofed vehicle, rallying support for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu BJP president and party's Coimbatore candidate K Annamalai holds a roadshow ahead of Lok Sabha elections.#LokasabhaElection2024 pic.twitter.com/IzhGXgZBMu

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2024

The incumbent MP Rahul Gandhi will be contesting against BJP state president K Surendran and CPI leader Annie Raja from the Wayanad LS constituency.

He had won from the same seat in 2019 with a massive margin of over four lakh votes.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi won after polling 7,06,367 votes out of a total of 10,92,197 with his closest rival -- CPI's P P Suneer -- receiving only 2,74,597 votes.

Voting in Kerala for the Lok Sabha polls this year will be on April 26.

#WATCH | Wayanad, Kerala: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "...Every single person in Wayanad gave me love, affection, respect and treated me as their own..." https://t.co/x0xagiSAeb pic.twitter.com/Gypn3lNb6Y

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2024

Sitting MP and UDF candidate Rajmohan Unnithan is causing a stir at the Kasaragod District Collectorate. Alleging that he was denied the first token to file his nomination for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Unnithan is staging a dramatic protest.

Sushil Kumar Modi revealed on Twitter that he has been fighting cancer for the past six months, acknowledging his inability to participate in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, reaffirming his unwavering dedication to the nation, Bihar, and the party.

????? 6 ??? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ? ?? ??? ?? ????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ? ??? ?? ? ??? ??? ????? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ?
PM ?? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?
???, ????? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??????? |

— Sushil Kumar Modi (???? ?? ?????? ) (@SushilModi) April 3, 2024

Congress sitting MP and candidate Rahul Gandhi conducts a roadshow in Wayanad - his constituency before filing his nomination. His sister and party's general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is also accompanying him.

#WATCH | Congress sitting MP and candidate Rahul Gandhi conducts a roadshow in Wayanad - his constituency before filing his nomination.

His sister and party's general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is also accompanying him. pic.twitter.com/oFox4aKFB1

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2024

Wayanad gears up for a showdown of political heavyweights in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. With the filing of nomination papers by Annie Raja, the CPI candidate, the stage is set for an intense battle against the sitting MP and Congress party's candidate, Rahul Gandhi.

#WATCH | Lok Sabha elections 2024 | Kerala: CPI candidate from Wayanad, Annie Raja files her nomination.

She will face Congress party's sitting MP and candidate Rahul Gandhi here. pic.twitter.com/nsJNkLrfrz

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2024

In 2019, the Congress’s first list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections — 11 from Uttar Pradesh and four from Gujarat — featured both Amethi and Raebareli. Sonia Gandhi and then Congress president Rahul Gandhi contested from their family’s traditional bastions, with the former winning and the latter losing to the BJP’s Smriti Irani. Perhaps aware that his position in Amethi was shaky, Rahul, in a surprise move, also entered the fray from Wayanad in Kerala, a constituency he currently represents.

Cut to 2024. Sonia has decided against contesting from Raebareli, moving to the Rajya Sabha, and the party announced Rahul’s candidature from Wayanad on March 8 in its first list of 39 candidates. But almost a month and 12 lists later, there is still uncertainty, or as some in the party say, a “strategic silence” on whether Rahul and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will contest from Amethi and Raebareli respectively to keep alive their family’s connection with Uttar Pradesh, or not. With Priyanka by his side, Rahul will file his nomination papers from Wayanad on Wednesday.... Continue reading

Anni Raja, the CPI's candidate in Wayanad, up against Rahul Gandhi, is holding a rally in the constituency. Raja says, "You can see the LDF workers and cadres, and the general public. We are all happy that today is a very important day of the election - filing of nomination." On Rahul Gandhi, she says, "I as a Left Front candidate am contesting here to win. I am not bothered about what will be his majority or his fate. We are here, we are reaching out to people. We are telling them, what is our politics, our position on all national issues...Our confidence is with the people and their response. We are confident, we are here to contest and win...People are coming to me and saying that they never voted for that symbol (Congress party's) before the last election but they were told that he would become the Prime Minister. So they voted for him..."#WATCH | Annie Raja says, 'You can see the LDF workers and cadres, and the general public. We are all happy that today is a very important day of the election - filing of nomination.'On Rahul Gandhi, she says, 'I as a Left Front candidate am contesting here to win. I am not… https://t.co/3Nfo5dVek1 pic.twitter.com/Z6TCtd6JjY— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2024

#WATCH | Lok Sabha elections 2024 | Kerala: CPI candidate from Wayanad, Annie Raja conducts a roadshow in the constituency ahead of filing her nomination.

She will face Congress party's sitting MP and candidate Rahul Gandhi here. pic.twitter.com/KAhtkovhkB

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2024