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In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party has unveiled its fourth list of candidates, comprising 46 names. With polling set to commence in seven phases starting April 19, the party’s strategic nominations indicate a concerted effort to contest key constituencies across various states.
One of the notable highlights of the list is the selection of Ajay Rai, the Uttar Pradesh Congress president, as the party’s candidate for the prestigious Varanasi Lok Sabha seat. Rai’s candidacy sets the stage for a direct contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has held the Varanasi constituency since 2014.
The Congress roster features a mix of seasoned leaders and fresh faces, strategically chosen to vie for parliamentary seats across the nation. Notable nominations include Digvijaya Singh from Rajgarh, Karti Chidambaram from Sivaganga, and Imran Masood from Saharanpur.
In Tamil Nadu, Manickam Tagore is set to contest from Virudhunagar, while S Jothimani will represent the party in Karur. Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh, former Union Minister Kantilal Bhuria has been nominated from Ratlam (ST), emphasizing the party’s commitment to diverse representation.
In a display of coalition politics, the Congress has reserved the Nagaur Lok Sabha constituency in Rajasthan for its ally, Hanuman Beniwal’s Rashtriya Loktantrik Party. This strategic move underscores the party’s collaborative approach to maximize electoral prospects.
While the majority of candidates have been announced, the Congress is yet to disclose its nominee for the Rae Bareli constituency in Uttar Pradesh, a seat long held by party stalwart Sonia Gandhi.
The fourth list demonstrates the Congress party’s nationwide outreach, with candidates selected from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Manipur, Assam, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, and West Bengal.
