Rahul Gandhi to contest LS polls from Kerala's Wayanad besides Amethi
New Delhi, Mar 31 (IBNS): Congress President Rahul Gandhi will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from a second seat in Kerala's Wayanad besides family stronghold Amethi.
Senior party leader AK Anthony made the announcement on Sunday morning.
This is the first time, Rahul is contesting from a second seat.
The move had triggered several political reactions which include jibes from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Union Minister Smiti Irani has alleged that Rahul is aware that he is going to lose from Amethi.
Reacting to Irani's comments, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said Prime Minister Narendra modi also took similar decision during 2014 Lok Sabha polls and left the Gujarat eat while retaining Varanasi.
Surjewala said that the decision was taken because the south wing of the party wanted the Congress President to do so in order to boost the confidence among cadres.
Surjewala informed that Rahul was requested to contest from three southern states - Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
By representing Wayanad, which borders Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Rahul Gandhi would be able to represent the other states as well, he told media.
Voting for the seven-phased Lok Sabha polls will start from Apr 11.
The last phase of polling will be held on May 19.
Counting of votes will take place on May 23.
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