Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who won from Wayanad and Rae Bareli in the 2024 general elections, kept people guessing on Wednesday about which seat he will retain, even as Kerala Congress chief K Sudhakaran hinted that the Congress leader would relinquish the constituency in Kerala.

Congress-led INDIA Bloc partner Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday resigned from his Karhal Assembly seat following his election to Lok Sabha from the Kannauj constituency. The newly elected party member from Faizabad Lok Sabha seat, Awadesh Prasad, too quit the membership of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. The SP will now have to look for a new name in his place for the post of leader of Opposition in the assembly.

According to the Representation of People Act, a candidate can contest from two Lok Sabha constituencies, but can hold only one seat at a time. Therefore, the Congress leader has to give up one of the two seats he has won.

Addressing a public meeting at Edavanna in Malappuram earlier in the day, Rahul said he was in a dilemma as to which constituency he should relinquish. He said that whatever decision he takes, both constituencies will be happy with it. “We should not be saddened as Rahul Gandhi who is supposed to lead the nation cannot be expected to remain in Wayanad.

“Therefore, we should not be sad. Everyone should understand that and give all their wishes and support to him,” Sudhakaran said.

Later, during his speech, Rahul Gandhi said many were speculating whether he would relinquish the Rae Bareli or the Wayanad LS seat. “Everybody knows the answer to this, except for myself,” he said. “I have a dilemma before me, whether I should be the MP of Wayanad or of Rae Bareli. What I will commit to you is that both Wayand and Rae Bareli will be happy with my decision,” the Congress leader said.

In 2019, Rahul had contested from Amethi and Wayanad, but lost the north Indian constituency to BJP’s Smriti Irani, and won from Wayanad by a huge margin. In 2024, the Congress leader contested from Rae Bareli and Wayanad and won both seats with a huge margin of over three lakh votes. In Wayanad, however, the victory margin was smaller than what it was in 2019.