First List of Congress Lok Sabha Choices Announced Today; Senior Party Members Told to Prepare for Battle-Cry of Death at Poll Panel Meeting

Although Rahul Gandhi was not present at the Congress Central Election Committee meeting on Thursday, his influence was felt. The message that came through was that everyone needed to be on the same page and that the next Lok Sabha election was a struggle for survival.

Sources said that this needed to be shared since the Congress is struggling with its prominent members’ reluctance to take a stand. Rahul Gandhi has been a staunch supporter of everyone fighting it out, but he has seldom received backing, which has caused a gap with many party members.

The Congress believes it would face off against the Bharatiya Janata Party directly for 275 Lok Sabha seats if it ran for office on its own. The BJP has had the liberty to try out different candidates since the majority of leaders are sure that the Modi name would have a magical effect. Although it is in an alliance with erstwhile rivals like the Samajwadi Party and Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress is not so optimistic since it has recently seen poll reversals, exodus, and disarray among the ranks.

Rahul Gandhi, the Congress candidate running for the Wayanad seat, is anticipated to be named first on the list, which is anticipated to be released on Friday. It should be simple for him to win since it is a stronghold for Congress.

It is hardly shocking that Shashi Tharoor, from Thiruvananthapuram, is being replicated. However, given that he is running for office a fourth time and that the BJP has nominated federal minister of state Rajeev Chandrasekhar, it might be a difficult race for him.

The fact that KC Venugopal, the organization’s general secretary and a close confidant of Rahul Gandhi, is taking the risk, however, could come as a surprise. This would be a significant move that may compel additional top-party members to run.

All eyes will now be on the next Uttar Pradesh assembly, where it may become clearer if Rahul will run from Raebareli or Amethi and whether sister Priyanka will really enter politics.