Fear Of Defeat? Rahul Gandhi ‘Agrees’ To Contest From Both Amethi In UP And Wayanad In Kerala

Addressing the press, senior Congress leader AK Antony on Sunday (31 March) put an end to the endless speculations about Congress president Rahul Gandhi contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from two seats, one Amethi, and the other from South India.

He apprised the media that “owing to repeated requests and demands” from the Congress workers and alliance partners mainly from Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Gandhi had agreed to fight the upcoming polls from both Amethi in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad in Kerala.

Asked whether Gandhi was not confident in Amethi, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala riposted, "Why did Modi ji leave Gujarat and contest from Varanasi? Was he not confident in Gujarat? These are immature and childish comments. She (Smriti Irani) will complete a hattrick of losses."

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his discontentment with the announcement and said that Gandhi contesting against Left is not a good sign. "He should have contested against the BJP if he sincerely believes that the BJP is their prime opponent. LDF is very much capable of defeating Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad," he added.

The process of nominations in Kerala, which goes to the polls on 23 April 2019, started on Thursday and will end on 4 April 2019.