NEW DELHI: Sonia Gandhi, the matriarch of the Congress party, is expected to move from the Lower House to the Upper Chamber on Wednesday when she submits her candidature for the Rajya Sabha from Jaipur.
In what is seen as a historic event, she will be accompanied by Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, party leader Mallikarjun Kharge, and the second rung leadership.
It would essentially mean the senior leader’s departure from electoral politics, which brought her to the Lok Sabha five times; her final term came in 2019 when the Congress won its only seat in Uttar Pradesh from Rae Bareli. Sonia has avoided electioneering for some time due to health issues, which is a major factor in her decision to support RS.
After giving Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh some thought, Sonia chose Rajasthan. A party strategist said the senior leader felt that going to a larger state for RS would help in political messaging ahead of Lok Sabha elections.
Sonia’s relocation to RS will let her to keep her home in New Delhi, which is crucial from a logistical and security perspective. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is rumoured to run for the Gandhi family seat in Rae Bareli, which would make the election difficult for the opposition. Some believe she could choose RS instead, though, as her name has also been circulating at this round.