Sonia Gandhi Set For First Rajya Sabha Stint, Files Nomination Papers From Rajasthan

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi today (14 February) filed her nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls from Rajasthan.

Gandhi, a Lok Sabha MP from Rae Bareli is currently serving her fifth term in the lower house, and this will be her first stint in the Upper House.

The party is reportedly certain to win one Rajya Sabha seat from the state.

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Former Rajasthan CM and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said on X, "We heartily welcome the announcement of respected Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji as the Rajya Sabha candidate from the Congress Party".

"Today her announcement as Rajya Sabha candidate from Rajasthan is a matter of happiness for the entire state and with this announcement all the old memories have been refreshed," he added.

Sonia's decision to enter Rajya Sabha has reportedly triggered speculations that her daughter and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra could make her electoral debut from Rae Bareli. 

Sonia will be the second member of the Gandhi family to enter Rajya Sabha after former prime minister Indira Gandhi, who was a member of the Upper House from August 1964 to February 1967.

A total of 56 members of Rajya Sabha from 15 states are retiring in April and the election to the seats will be held on 27 February. The last date for filing nominations is 15 February.

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