The Congress's 11th-hour decision came early on Friday where it announced that Rahul Gandhi will be the party candidate from Raebareli, the seat vacated recently by his mother Sonia Gandhi when she moved to Rajya Sabha.
Amethi, however, which is also the family bastion will be represented by Kishori Lal Sharma, a longtime loyalist of the Gandhi family. Congress lost Amethi to BJP in 2019.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra could not be convinced to contest from Raebareli -- which she had nursed for over a decade on her mother's behalf.
The Congress decision came after weeks of suspense. Both candidates will file their papers today -- the last day for filing nominations for the fifth phase of election on May 20.
Sonia Gandhi along with Priyanka and Rahul have landed in Amethi where they will accompany Sharma as he files his nomination. Gandhi will be filing his nomination later in the day from Raebareli.
According to sources, Rahul Gandhi will also hold a roadshow in Raebareli before filing his nomination papers.
"Our family has had a long association with Kishori Lal Sharma ji. His passion for public service is an example in itself. Today, it is a matter of joy that the Congress Party has made Shri Kishori Lal Ji a candidate from Amethi. Kishori Lal Ji's loyalty and dedication towards duty will definitely bring him success in this election," Priyanka Gandhi congratulated KL Sharma and said his "loyalty and dedication" will help him win the election.
Polling on 353 seats is still left, of which the Congress is contesting on 330 seats. Both Raebareli and Amethi is the decades-old family bastion. Wayanad is also a Congress stronghold which had sent Rahul Gandhi to the Lok Sabha when Amethi had declined.
