Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi will retain Raebareli, the long-held constituency of the Gandhi family, and vacate his Wayanad seat, where the party will field Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, announced party president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday. Both Rahul and Priyanka—who is set to make her electoral debut—assured that they will manage responsibilities in both Raebareli and Wayanad.
If Priyanka wins the by-election in Wayanad, it would mark the first time that the Nehru-Gandhi family has three members—mother, son, and daughter—as Parliamentarians. Like other family members, Priyanka has worked within the organization before her electoral debut.
The party did not specify if Rahul will become the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, but Rahul hinted at the possibility by mentioning that Kharge had “threatened” him with action if he did not accept the CWC’s resolution to be LoP. Priyanka also added that she had given her advice on the matter to him.
“Our leader Rahul Gandhi has won from two seats. By law, he must vacate one. Tomorrow is the last date to vacate. That’s why we decided that Rahul Gandhi should retain Raebareli due to its long association with his family. Raebareli has a deep connection with the Gandhis, and for generations, they have represented it. Therefore, both the people and the party feel he should keep Raebareli,” said Kharge, alongside Rahul, Priyanka, and party general secretary KC Venugopal.
“The people of Wayanad also want Rahul Gandhi to retain his seat. However, the law does not allow this. After much deliberation, we decided that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should contest from Wayanad. Both have agreed,” Kharge added, following a meeting at his residence attended by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul, Priyanka, and Venugopal.
Rahul acknowledged that it was “not an easy” decision, as he has attachments to both places. “I have an old relationship with Raebareli. I am happy to represent it again,” he said. “I have been the Wayanad MP for the past five years. It was a fantastic experience. The people of Wayanad, across party lines, showed me love and affection. I want to thank them and will always remember them.”
Rahul, who began his political career in 2004 from Amethi, contested Wayanad in 2019 to boost the party’s prospects in Kerala. That year, he lost to Union minister Smriti Irani in Amethi but won in Wayanad.
A senior Congress strategist explained, “Rahul could not leave Raebareli for political reasons. He is the party’s face and must represent the most politically important state, UP. His presence will strengthen Congress’ ties with the Samajwadi Party.”
Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was a Raebareli MP from 1967 to 1977. Feroze Gandhi served two terms from there in 1952 and 1957. After Rahul contested Amethi, Sonia Gandhi shifted to Raebareli and was its MP from 2004 to 2024 before moving to the Rajya Sabha earlier this year.
Interestingly, in 1980, when Indira won both Raebareli and Medak, she chose Medak in Andhra Pradesh. Forty-four years later, her grandson has chosen to retain Raebareli and vacate his southern India seat.
Priyanka, who will contest from Wayanad in an upcoming by-poll, expressed confidence. “I am very happy. I will work hard to make everyone happy and help him in Raebareli. I have an old connection with Raebareli and have worked in both Amethi and Raebareli. I will support my brother in Raebareli,” she said.
Rahul expressed confidence in her victory and her ability to represent Wayanad well. He also mentioned that he will frequently visit Wayanad, ensuring both constituencies have two active Members of Parliament.
