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As voting for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections commenced on Friday, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi called on people to participate in voting in large numbers and emphasised that every vote counts.
In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi said, "This election is to save the country's democracy and constitution. This election is to provide relief to the people struggling with unemployment, inflation, corruption and economic hardship." "I appeal to you, my countrymen, to vote in large numbers, vote on your issues and this time form a people's government that works only for you," she added. Meanwhile, sources in the Congress party have indicated that Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are likely to contest the Lok Sabha election from Rae Bareli and Amethi seats, respectively. According to the sources, the final decision will be taken after April 26 and nominations can be filed next week. Rahul Gandhi is already contesting Lok Sabha elections from Kerala's Wayanad seat, where polling is underway on Friday. Smriti Irani defeated Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Amethi. Notably, the Union minister has been fielded again by the BJP for Amethi. The Rae Bareli seat was held by Sonia Gandhi, who now moved to the Rajya Sabha, after she announced that she would not be contesting the Lok Sabha elections anymore, thus leaving the seat of the Congress bastion vacant. As per the seat agreement between the Samajwadi Party and Congress in Uttar Pradesh, Congress will contest 17 seats and the Samajwadi Party the remaining 63 seats in the electorally crucial state. Apart from its traditional strongholds of Rae Bareli and Amethi, the Congress is also contesting on Varanasi, Ghaziabad and Kanpur. Notably, Prime Minister and BJP leader Narendra Modi is also contesting from Varanasi. Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituencies will vote in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 20. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)
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