Rahul Gandhi INDIA Bloc's PM Face? Baghel Says Raebareli People Are Electing Prime Minister; Akhilesh Reacts

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday hinted towards Congress leader Rahul Gandhi being the prime ministerial face of the opposition’s INDIA bloc. Seeking votes for Gandhi in Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli Lok Sabha constituency, Baghel said people there are now going to elect the Prime Minister of the country.

“After Indira Gandhi, now, people have the chance to elect a PM from this constituency. People will witness and contribute to this,” he said at a public gathering in Raebareli’s Bathuwa Khas village.

Congress leaders are actively campaigning in Raebareli, a constituency from which Rahul Gandhi is contesting in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, in addition to his current seat in Wayanad.

Reacting to the Congress leader’s big claim, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav said the statement was part of the INDIA bloc’s ‘strategy’.

“I will not reveal anything. It’s part of our strategy,” Yadav said.

Congress and the Samajwadi party are fighting Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh jointly under the INDIA bloc’s alliance.

So far, the INDIA bloc has not announced its pick for the post of Prime Minister if the alliance forms the government after winning Lok Sabha polls. Rahul Gandhi earlier said that the opposition’s coalition alliance would decide on its prime minister candidate after winning the general elections.

Earlier, Baghel had exuded confidence that Congress would win both the Amethi and Rae Bareli seats in Uttar Pradesh by a “big margin” in the Lok Sabha polls.

RaeBareli, a stronghold of the Gandhi family, has been represented by senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi since 2004. Indira Gandhi had also represented the constituency in the past. The constituency will vote in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections on May 20.

Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website