In a surprising turn of events, Mridula Katheria, the wife of BJP MP Ram Shankar Katheria, has announced her decision to contest independently for the Etawah Lok Sabha seat, challenging her own husband in the upcoming elections. This move adds a unique twist to the political landscape in the region.
Mridula had previously filed nomination papers for the Etawah seat during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but later withdrew. Her husband, Ram Shankar Katheria, emerged victorious in that election from the same constituency.
Addressing the media, Mridula stated, "I have filed my nomination as an independent candidate and I will contest the elections against him (BJP MP Ram Shankar Katheria)." The Etawah constituency is set to go to polls on May 13, adding anticipation to this intra-family political battle.
Meanwhile, sources suggest that Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi are likely to contest from Rae Bareli and Amethi seats, respectively, in the upcoming elections. A final decision is expected after April 26, with nominations to be filed subsequently. The second phase of elections, which includes Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi's constituency, is scheduled soon after.
Notably, Smriti Irani, who defeated Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, has been nominated again by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the same seat. Apart from its traditional strongholds of RaeBareli and Amethi, the Congress is also contesting in Varanasi, Ghaziabad, and Kanpur.
Amethi and Rae Bareli constituencies are slated to vote in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 20. However, Rahul Gandhi faces a tough challenge in reclaiming his erstwhile bastion, with Union Minister Smriti Irani actively campaigning in the constituency.
Rae Bareli has been a Congress stronghold for decades, with prominent leaders like Feroze Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi representing it in the past.
With Sonia Gandhi's move to the upper house, the Congress is expected to field Priyanka Gandhi, who holds a significant position as a general secretary in the party.
Uttar Pradesh, with its 80 Lok Sabha seats, holds considerable importance in the national political scenario. While the first phase of voting has already taken place, the remaining constituencies in the state will cast their votes in subsequent phases, leading up to the counting of votes on June 4.
Follow us
