Jobaaj Stories
Rahul Gandhi, the prominent Congress leader, has once again thrown his hat into the electoral ring, filing his nomination from the Wayanad constituency in Kerala for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls scheduled for April 26, 2024. Accompanied by his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other senior party leaders, Gandhi embarked on a roadshow from Kalpetta to Civil Station, gathering immense support from thousands of enthusiastic party workers and supporters.
Gandhi's decision to contest from Wayanad comes in the wake of his landslide victory from the same constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where he secured a staggering margin of over 4 lakh votes.
In a public display of the democratic process, Rahul Gandhi formally submitted his nomination papers to the Wayanad District Collector, Dr. Renu Raj, who also serves as the Returning Officer for the constituency. The event was marked by a fervent display of political support and solidarity from his fellow party members.
According to the affidavit filed along with his nomination papers, Rahul Gandhi disclosed his financial status, revealing an income of Rs 1.02 crore for the fiscal year 2022-23. The affidavit also shed light on Gandhi's diverse portfolio of assets, savings, investments, and properties:
- Cash in hand: Rs 55,000 as of March 15, 2024
- Bank account balance: Rs 26 lakh
- Sources of income: Rent, MP salary, royalty income, interest from banks, bonds, dividends, and capital gains from mutual funds and shares
- Total declared assets: Rs 9.24 crore, including equities, mutual funds, savings accounts, sovereign gold bonds, etc.
- Investments: Rs 4.33 crore in equity shares and Rs 3.81 crore in mutual funds
- Immovable property: Valued at Rs 11.15 crore, comprising commercial buildings, non-agricultural, and agricultural land
The disclosure of Rahul Gandhi's financial status comes amidst heightened scrutiny and transparency demands in the political landscape, especially during election seasons.
As the political climate intensifies in Kerala, where elections are scheduled for all 20 parliamentary constituencies on April 26, the filing of nominations continues. The deadline for filing nomination papers for the second phase of elections is set for April 4, 2024.
Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Wayanad once again underscores the strategic importance of the constituency in the broader political landscape, as parties gear up for a fiercely contested electoral battle.
