Rahul Gandhi to Contest 2019 Lok Sabha Elections From Amethi, Priyanka Gandhi May Replace Sonia in Raebareli: Report

New Delhi, Aug 3: Congress president Rahul Gandhi will contest in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from his incumbent seat Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, top party sources told news agency ANI.

The general elections next year could also mark the electoral debut for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the elder sister of Rahul Gandhi, who may contest from Raebareli, the parliamentary seat currently represented by her mother and former party chief Sonia Gandhi.

Due to Sonia's deteriorating health, the 71-year-old is rumoured to step back from active politics. The possibility of her not contesting in 2019 is in line with the relinquishing of the party president post last year in favour of her son Rahul.

ANI sources also claimed that the Congress will not project Rahul as the prime ministerial candidate ahead of the next general elections. This is in contrast to a recent claim by the Gandhi scion. While addressing a rally in Karnataka in May, he had said that if the nation wants, he would assume the charge of Prime Minister post the next elections.

The Congress is also unlikely to announce a chief ministerial candidate in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan -- the three states which would go to polls later this year.

The party, insiders claim, is also averse to joining hands with the Shiv Sena, despite the latter's critical approach towards the Narendra Modi-led BJP. The reason for aversion towards an alliance with Sena, the sources claim, is the conflicting ideologies of the two parties. While the Congress remains steadfast to secularism, Sena has repeatedly given the call for a 'Hindu Rashtra'.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 03, 2018 07:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).