Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi is considering contesting a Rajya Sabha seat, according to indications from senior party leaders on Monday. The decision, if finalized, would mark her first stint in the Upper House of Parliament. Gandhi, a veteran politician and five-term Lok Sabha lawmaker, is reportedly contemplating a move to the Rajya Sabha, with preferences for a seat from North India.
The possibility emerged during a meeting between top Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Mukul Wasnik, Salman Khurshid, and Ajay Maken, to discuss candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections on February 27. However, no final decision was reached during the meeting, with detailed discussions taking place instead.
The Congress is yet to announce any candidate for the biennial elections for 56 seats from 15 states, but they are anticipated to secure around 11 seats in total. The leaders also deliberated on the political landscape and the status of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), with concerns raised about the alleged use of the Enforcement Directorate to weaken the INDIA bloc.
Given Sonia Gandhi’s historical ties to Uttar Pradesh, where she has previously been elected from, her potential shift to the Rajya Sabha is of significant interest. She has represented both Amethi and Rae Bareli constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. However, with leaders from South India already prominent within the party, it is speculated that Gandhi may opt for a seat from North India.
Several state units, including those from Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan, have expressed their support for Sonia Gandhi contesting from their respective states. In Rajasthan, the Congress has urged her nomination for a Rajya Sabha seat, hoping to infuse new energy into the party.
While the proposal awaits a response from the party high command, discussions are ongoing regarding potential candidates for the upcoming elections. If Sonia Gandhi decides to contest from Rajasthan, it would mark a significant development in the state’s political landscape, where the Congress currently holds one of the three vacant seats.
Overall, Sonia Gandhi’s potential entry into the Rajya Sabha reflects ongoing strategic discussions within the Congress party, as it seeks to strengthen its position and navigate the evolving political landscape.
Sources By Agencies