New Delhi, February 14: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to file her nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections from Rajasthan today, according to sources familiar with the matter. Gandhi, who served as Congress president for nearly 22 years, will embark on this significant political move alongside Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary KC Venugopal.
Sonia Gandhi’s decision to contest from Rajasthan holds strategic importance amidst the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and the impending Lok Sabha polls expected in April-May. The move comes as former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, representing Rajasthan in the Rajya Sabha, is set to retire in April this year.
Rajasthan emerged as the preferred choice for Sonia Gandhi, despite offers from other state units, owing to its strategic significance in the party’s political landscape. With Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge hailing from Karnataka and Rahul Gandhi representing Wayanad in Kerala, the party sought to maintain a balanced regional representation by opting for a state in the north for Sonia Gandhi.
The decision also reflects Sonia Gandhi’s longstanding association with the state, reminiscent of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s tenure as a member of the Rajya Sabha. Sonia Gandhi, a five-time Lok Sabha MP, has been a consistent figure in Indian politics, representing Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh.
The timing of the nomination filing holds significance as the Election Commission has declared the schedule for the biennial poll for 56 Rajya Sabha seats, with voting slated for February 27. The Congress is yet to announce candidates for the elections, with the last date for filing nominations set for February 15.
Sonia Gandhi’s nomination filing underscores the party’s strategic positioning ahead of crucial electoral battles and signals a continuation of her active political engagement despite stepping down as Congress president in 2022. As the political landscape evolves, Sonia Gandhi’s role in shaping Congress’s trajectory remains pivotal.
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