New Delhi: Uncertainty over Rahul Gandhi's Wayanad candidacy continues as the Congress central leadership failed to reach consensus. The working committee did not discuss the issue in its meeting on Monday. Rahul too has not made his intentions clear yet.
The rumours of his chances, however, remained strong as the high command refrained from naming anyone for Wayanad despite declaring 259 candidates. Evading media query on the issue, Rahul simply smiled.
An unofficial meeting of senior leaders is expected to take a final decision soon. Many have sought his candidature from Karnataka, where Narendra Modi is likely to contest.
Some say Rahul fighting the Communists in Kerala while Modi takes on Congress in Karnataka might send a wrong political signal nationally. They argue that there is more time for detailed discussions since nominations for Kerala end only on April 4.
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have also requested Rahul’s candidacy, said spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. They are under consideration.
Leaders also suggested considering the Left’s plea against the Congress’s Wayanad move. But the majority does not feel the need to heed to the Left’s request since there is no alliance with them even in West Bengal.
Rahul Gandhi, who held a press conference soon after the CWC meet on Monday, only elaborated the minimum basic income guarantee scheme that promises Rs 72,000 yearly direct money transfer to 20 per cent most poor families. He said he would not take any questions other than those on the scheme.
The Congress leadership in Kerala is keenly awaiting a decision on the choice of Wayanad constituency in the state.
It is believed contesting in a Congress bastion like Wayanad will help the party president find time for campaigns elsewhere in the country.
Interestingly, a suggestion to field Rahul only from Wayanad also came up in party circles. With this the Amethi seat, where Rahul has been formally declared as a candidate for this Lok Sabha election, could be handed over to his sister and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. However, this proposal has been vetoed by their mother Sonia.
A likely plan could be Rahul giving up Amethi if he wins from there alongside a second seat and Priyanka being asked to contest in the UP seat in a bypoll later after Rahul vacates it. This is the most accepted formula as of now among the party leaders.
Addressing Left concerns
Meanwhile, Rahul is reportedly taking into account the suggestions of a few Congress leaders to address Left parties’ concern over his candidacy from Kerala. AICC office bearer P C Chacko has released a letter saying Rahul’s Wayanad plan may convey a negative signal in national politics. He pointed out the problem with fighting Communists whose support could be sought after election if the results indicate a stalemate.
CPM Politburo member S Ramachandran Pillai said Rahul’s plan suggested Congress' opponent was Communists and not BJP.
Rahul won't run away from Amethi: Mullappally
Meanwhile, KPCC chief Mullappally Ramachandran said that the official announcement regarding the Congress candidate for the Vadakara Lok Sabha seat will take place soon. “K Muraleedharan will be elected with a record margin,” he added. However, Mullappally remained silent on Rahul Gandhi’s candidature.
“Rahul will never run away from Amethi as some people suggest. He will indeed contest from there and win with a big majority,” said Mullappally.
“CPM is blinded by its hatred towards the Congress. When initial reports suggested that Rahul might contest from Wayanad, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan commented that Rahul was running away from Amethi. Such a statement can come only from a person having a Sangh Parivar mindset,” said the KPCC chief.
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