Reflecting on her three-decade-long service to Rae Bareli, Sonia hailed it as the "biggest asset" of her life and highlighted her family's enduring connection to the constituency, spanning a century.

After the Congress announced Rahul Gandhi and KL Sharma as candidates from Raebareli and Amethi for the Lok Sabha elections, expelled leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam called Priyanka Gandhi Vadra a "victim of family and party conspiracy," alleging deliberate denial of her candidacy.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today filed his nomination papers from the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat, which his mother, Sonia Gandhi, has held for the last two decades.

He was accompanied by Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary, elucidated that the selection of Rahul Gandhi for Rae Bareli underwent meticulous deliberation and strategic planning. 

Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, has been fielded from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, the grand old party said in a statement. 

The sources said the party has started making preparations for the nomination filing in both seats, which have been traditionally held by members of the Gandhi-Nehru family. 

Congress is expected to announce candidates for Amethi and Rae Bareli tonight, the last day for nominations. Rahul Gandhi is likely to contest from Amethi, while an alternative plan is prepared in case Priyanka Gandhi Vadra doesn't run in Rae Bareli, possibly fielding Sheila Kaul's grandson.