Sonia Gandhi's Letter to Rae Bareli: Unable to Contest Lok Sabha Election Due to Age

Sonia Gandhi, the former president of the Congress, said in a letter to the residents of her pocket borough, Rae Bareli, that she would be unable to run in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election due to age and illness. Gandhi submitted her candidacy for the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Rae Bareli "would remain with the Nehru-Gandhi family," according to Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajai Rai, who said that "there was no doubt" about it. There is a lot of discussion in political circles about whether her daughter, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, may run for the seat.


Sonia, 77, wrote in Hindi to the residents of Rae Bareli, "I'll not fight the next election because of my (bad) health and age. After making this choice, I won't have the chance to actively assist you, but my thoughts and feelings will always be with you. I am certain that you will stand with my family and myself through any hardship.

Rae Bareli's five-time representative Sonia commented, "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."

Sonia said in the address to voters, "Without you, my family in Delhi is incomplete. When I visit Rae Bareli and get to know you all, it will be complete. I've known you for a long time. These relationships are a blessing that I acquired from my in-laws.

Her father-in-law, Feroze Gandhi, was elected to the Lok Sabha by her seat in the first general election after independence, she claimed, citing the "very deep-rooted" familial connections she had with Rae Bareli.

She said, "After that, you accepted Indira Gandhi, my mother-in-law." Since then, despite life's highs and lows, our connection has grown stronger and our confidence in this tie has strengthened along the challenging path to affection. You gave me room to go on this bright road. After losing my husband and mother-in-law, I came to you, and you welcomed me with open arms," the former head of Congress said.

"I will always remember your unwavering support for me during the challenging circumstances of the past two Lok Sabha elections," Sonia said.

I shall see you soon, she added, sending love to the young and respect to the elderly.

In Varanasi, Rai, the head of the Uttar Pradesh Congress, declared: "There is no doubt that the Nehru-Gandhi family will continue to hold the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat." They want to keep serving the constituency as they have done for more than 60 years.

When asked whether Priyanka will run next, Rai said, "Priyanka will win from wherever she contests in UP." In addition to Rae Bareli, Amethi will continue to be their favored constituency.

A representative for the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC), Arvind Chaturvedi, said that Priyanka was prepared to run from Rae Bareli.

"The UPCC has suggested that Priyanka join Rahul's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Varanasi and continue with him till Rae Bareli," a Congress source said.

On Friday, Rahul will traverse the Chandauli area to reach Uttar Pradesh as part of his Yatra. "Rahul will enter the state from the Naubatpur area in Chandauli," said C.P. Rai, the head of the state Congress' media cell. On Saturday, he is scheduled to visit Varanasi and lead a procession. He will speak at a Godaulia rally and deliver prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple later.

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