Lok Sabha elections: Congress' first list of 39 candidates out; Rahul Gandhi to contest from Wayanad

PTC Web Desk: The Congress on Friday released its first list of 39 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, covering constituencies in Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Telangana, and Tripura.

The list, finalised during the Central Election Committee meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, witnessed the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Sonia Gandhi, and general secretary KC Venugopal. Rahul Gandhi participated via Zoom. The second Election Committee meeting is scheduled for March 11 to deliberate on candidates for the remaining states in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Rahul Gandhi will be contesting from Wayanad again.

Notably, 15 candidates are from the general category, 24 are from SC, ST, OBC and minority groups, 12 candidates are below 50 years of age, 8 candidates are in the age group 50–60,12 are in the age group 61-70 while seven candidates are in the age group 71-76.

Other big names include Shashi Tharoor and Bhupesh Baghel. Rahul Gandhi is set to contest from Wayanad in Kerala, though his candidacy in Amethi, similar to 2019, remains uncertain. Shashi Tharoor will vie for Thiruvananthapuram, a seat he has held for three terms, while Bhupesh Baghel will make his Lok Sabha electoral debut from Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh.

Other notable names on the list include Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, contesting from Alapuzzha in Kerala, and DK Suresh, brother of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, fielded from Bengaluru Rural.

The candidate announcements primarily cover southern and northeastern states, with outliers being Chhattisgarh and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. With a focus on southern states, especially where the Congress holds governments in Karnataka and Telangana, the move strategically addresses regions where the BJP's influence is relatively weaker.

CHECK COMPLETE LIST

Also Read | MEA raises concerns with Moscow over Indians working as support staff for Russian army

Also Read | 'Sorry papa, I cannot do JEE': Another student ends life in Kota; 6th case this year

Also Read | Tragic accident claims lives of two Punjab youths in US

Also Read | International Women's Day: Whether a working mom or homemaker: She needs applause, not judgement!

Updating... 

-

Join Whatsapp Channel