New Delhi: The Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) has authorized party chief Mallikarjun Kharge to decide on the candidates for the Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttar Pradesh and Raebareli. Amid speculation about whether members of the Gandhi family would contest from these seats, the Uttar Pradesh Congress has requested Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to contest from there.

Responding to queries regarding when the candidates for these constituencies would be announced and whether Gandhi family members would be fielded, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate stated, "The president has been authorized to decide on the candidates. The process of elections is transparent, and you will be informed when the candidates are announced."

She further added, "In our party, such decisions are not made behind closed doors by two people. The CEC has put forward its views, and with its and the president's approval, the candidates will be decided."

Rahul Gandhi contested the previous Lok Sabha elections from Wayanad, Kerala, where voting took place during the second phase of polls.

There has been speculation that Rahul Gandhi might contest from Amethi, a seat he represented for three consecutive terms earlier, and Priyanka Gandhi from Raebareli, previously held by her mother Sonia Gandhi. Both Amethi and Raebareli are considered strongholds of the Gandhi family, and the local units of the Congress have demanded that both scions of the family contest from there.

Rahul Gandhi had won the Amethi seat in three consecutive Lok Sabha elections from 2004. However, BJP leader Smriti Irani secured the seat in 2019. Rahul Gandhi, who contested from both Amethi and Wayanad in 2019, won the elections from Wayanad.

Polling in Amethi and Raebareli is scheduled for May 20, during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls. The Congress has formed an alliance with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and is contesting 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

The counting of votes for all seven phases of the Lok Sabha polls will commence on June 4.

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