Wayanad, March 23: Indian National Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday has agreed to contest from Kerala's Wayanad parliamentary seat, Kerala Congress chief Mullappally Ramachandran said. “Talks were on about this for almost a month. Initially, he was not willing. After much persuasion, he agreed” Ramachandran said, reported Hindustan Times.

Earlier, the Congress in Kerala has proposed Rahul Gandhi's name for Wayanad Lok Sabha seat. All India Congress Committee General secretary Oommen said, "Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has requested Congress President Rahul Gandhi to contest from one of the seats in Kerala. The seat on offer is Wayanad. Rahul Gandhi's response is expected anytime today." Smriti Irani Named in 1st BJP List of Candidates, Set to Contest Against Rahul Gandhi From Amethi.

When quizzed about this, Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has sent their desire that Rahul Gandhi should contest from Wayanad constituency. We thank them for the love and respect, Rahul ji has always said that Amethi will remain his Karam bhoomi. Rahul ji will positively consider the request of KPCC."

Wayanad, the party’s bastion in Kerala that borders Karnataka, was carved out in 2008 during the restructuring of constituencies. It was carved out from Malappuram, Kannur and Wayanad constituencies. Notably, Rahul Gandhi's grandmother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi have also contested parliamentary elections from the south. Both of them, however, contested from Karnataka.

Meanwhile, Union Minister and popular Bharatiya Janata Party leader Smriti Irani has been fielded from Uttar Pradesh's Amethi. Irani, currently a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP), is fielded against Rahul Gandhi. In 2014 general polls, the actor-turned-politician had lost to Gandhi by a margin of nearly one lakh votes.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 23, 2019 02:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).