Annie Raja, a leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the runner-up to Rahul Gandhi from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in the recent general elections, remarked on Monday that there was ample time to determine the Kerala Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) candidate for the upcoming Wayanad by-election, in which CPI is a member.
Raja told news agency ANI, “Rahul Gandhi and the Congress have decided to retain Rae Bareli and withdraw from Wayanad. Whether I will contest again will be decided by my party. Since elections have not been announced yet, we have plenty of time to discuss within our party and among the LDF.”
Regarding the Congress’s decision to nominate Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for the Wayanad by-poll, marking her electoral debut, Raja emphasized the importance of increased female representation in Parliament. “I am pleased that the UDF has put forward a female candidate for the constituency,” she stated. The United Democratic Front (UDF) is Kerala’s principal opposition alliance led by the Congress.
In the 2019 national polls, Rahul Gandhi secured 647,445 votes in Wayanad, retaining the seat, while Annie Raja garnered 283,023 votes, securing second place, as per the Election Commission of India (ECI). In Rae Bareli, Rahul Gandhi received 687,649 votes, maintaining his position, with BJP’s Dinesh Pratap Singh coming second with 297,619 votes.
According to Election Commission rules, an individual can contest from a maximum of two seats. However, if elected to both, they must retain one and vacate the other.
The inaugural session of the 18th Lok Sabha is set to commence on June 24.