In an unexpected move, Secretary Priyanka Gandhi is reportedly considering contesting from two constituencies in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, one in Karnataka and another in Telangana, according to sources. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has allegedly conducted surveys in the Koppal constituency of Karnataka without informing the local Congress unit. The survey indicates Koppal as a potentially safe seat for Priyanka Gandhi, considering its status as one of the most backward districts in Karnataka, with six out of eight assembly segments currently held by the Congress.
The move to contest from Karnataka echoes historical instances where prominent political figures like former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi found political success in Karnataka constituencies. Indira Gandhi won the Chikkamagaluru parliamentary seat in 1978, and Sonia Gandhi emerged victorious from the Ballary seat in Karnataka in 1999.
If Priyanka Gandhi decides to contest from Karnataka, it is anticipated to have a positive impact on the Congress party across the state, potentially energizing party workers to confront the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). State Congress leaders have previously expressed the sentiment that the candidacy of any member from the Gandhi family in Karnataka would be advantageous for the party.
