Can't contest Lok Sabha elections due to health, age, Sonia Gandhi writes to Rae Bareli 'family'

Sonia Gandhi

A day after filing nomination papers from Rajasthan for the Rajya Sabha,  former Congress president Sonia Gandhi wrote an emotional letter to the people of Rae Bareli, her Lok Sabha constituency, saying she cannot contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections due to health and age.

In her letter, which was released on February 15, the 77-year-old promised the people of Rae Bareli to continue serving them in various capacities if not directly and thanked them for their unwavering support throughout her political journey.

“This close relationship is very old, and I consider myself fortunate to have inherited it from my in-laws. Our family’s ties with this place run deep. In the first Lok Sabha elections held after independence, you elected my father-in-law, Feroze Gandhi from here and sent him to Delhi. After him, you embraced my mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, as one of your own. From then until now, this bond has endured with love and enthusiasm, through the highs and lows and challenges of life, and our faith in it has only grown stronger,” said Gandhi.

Her family felt incomplete in Delhi and only felt whole when she was among the people in Rae Bareli.

Read: Why Sonia Gandhi dumped Rae Bareli for Rajasthan Rajya Sabha seat

She was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1999 after being taking over as the Congress president. Ahead of the 2019 contest, Gandhi declared that it would be her last Lok Sabha election.

“After the loss of my mother-in-law and my life partner, I turned to you and you welcomed me with open arms. In the last two elections, you stood by me like a rock, even in difficult times. I can never forget this. I am proud to say that.

“It is certain that my heart and soul will always be with you. I will take care of myself and my family just as you have taken care of me until now. My greetings to the elders, love to the younger ones, and a promise to meet soon,” she concluded.

Gandhi will have to quit the Lok Sabha before being sworn in as a member of the Rajya Sabha some time in April. The Lok Sabha elections have to be held by May.