Congress replaces candidate amid row over Kangana Ranaut remarks.
Supriya Shrinate contested the previous Lok Sabha elections from Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, but was defeated by BJP’s Pankaj Chaudhary.
This move comes amid a massive uproar sparked by her offensive remarks on actor Kangana Ranaut, who is the BJP’s candidate from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi.
Ms. Shrinate had previously contested the Lok Sabha polls from Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh but was defeated by the BJP’s Pankaj Chaudhary.
In the wake of the controversy, Congress has named Virendra Chaudhary as its new choice for the seat, taking the place of Ms. Shrinate. This development has placed her squarely in the midst of a significant political storm over her comments on Kangana Ranaut.
New Delhi: The Congress swiftly took action today, replacing Supriya Shrinate as a candidate from the constituency she contested in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This move comes amidst a storm of outrage triggered by her offensive remarks on actor Kangana Ranaut, who is the BJP’s candidate from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi.
Ms. Shrinate had vied for the Lok Sabha seat in Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh in the last elections but was defeated by the BJP’s Pankaj Chaudhary.
In response to the controversy, the Congress has chosen Virendra Chaudhary as its new candidate for the seat, stepping in for Ms. Shrinate who finds herself embroiled in a political whirlpool over her comments regarding Kangana Ranaut.
Ms. Shrinate, speaking to NDTV, mentioned that she wished to concentrate on her role as the party’s social media head and had requested not to be fielded in the elections. She further stated that she had recommended a replacement candidate.
On Monday, an offensive post appeared on Ms. Shrinate’s Instagram account, featuring a picture of Ms. Ranaut with a derogatory caption. Ms. Shrinate promptly clarified that several individuals have access to her social media accounts, and one of them was responsible for the inappropriate post.
“As soon as I became aware of it, I removed that post. Anyone who knows me is well aware that I never indulge in making personal or indecent remarks towards any woman. I am keen to investigate how this transpired,” she explained.
Earlier today, the Election Commission issued a show-cause notice to Ms. Shrinate concerning her post.
This turn of events has placed Ms. Shrinate at the center of a heated political debate, with the Congress swiftly taking steps to address the situation. Virendra Chaudhary, the newly named candidate, now steps into the spotlight, as the political landscape in Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, sees a shift ahead of the upcoming elections.
The incident underscores the sensitivity and scrutiny social media posts face in the realm of politics, with parties and candidates having to navigate the delicate balance between freedom of expression and responsible discourse.
As the political drama unfolds, all eyes remain on the evolving narrative in Maharajganj, where the dynamics of the upcoming elections have taken an unexpected turn with this swift change in candidacy.
The Congress party made its eighth list announcement on Wednesday for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, unveiling 14 candidates across four states: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Jharkhand. With this latest announcement, the total count of candidates announced by the party now stands at 208.
In Madhya Pradesh, the party has strategically fielded Rao Yadvendra Singh against Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in the Guna constituency.
Moving to Jharkhand, the Congress has selected Kalicharan Munda to contest from the Khunti constituency reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST). Sukhdeo Bhagat will represent the party in the Lohardaga constituency, also reserved for ST candidates. Jaiprakashbhai Patel has been named as the candidate for the Hazaribagh parliamentary seat.
These strategic selections indicate the Congress party’s intent to put up a strong fight in these constituencies, pitting candidates against prominent opponents in key battlegrounds. As the Lok Sabha election approaches, political dynamics are intensifying, with parties making calculated moves to secure their positions in the upcoming parliamentary polls.
In Telangana, the Congress has announced its candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Suguna Kumari Chelimala will represent the party from the Adilabad constituency, while Tatiparthi Jeevan Reddy has been fielded from Nizamabad. Neelam Madhu is the Congress nominee from the Medak constituency, and Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy will contest from Bhongir.
Shifting focus to Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has revealed its candidates for several key constituencies. Dolly Sharma has been nominated to contest from Ghaziabad, while Nakul Dubey will represent the party in Sitapur. In Bulandshahr, a Scheduled Caste (SC) reserved seat, Shivram Valmiki is the Congress candidate. Additionally, Virendra Chaudhary has been named as the Congress nominee from the Maharajganj constituency.
These nominations highlight the Congress party’s strategy as it gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, aiming to make an impact in these constituencies across Telangana and Uttar Pradesh. The party’s selection of candidates underscores its efforts to contest vigorously and secure representation in these crucial parliamentary seats.