Congress leader Rahul Gandhi resigns from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has resigned from his Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, formally notifying the Speaker's office of his decision to retain the Raebareli constituency. This move marks a significant development in his political career.

A Lok Sabha bulletin said his resignation has been accepted with effect from June 18.

The Congress leader had submitted the letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker for this today, June 18, reported news agency PTI.

Earlier on Monday, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge announced Priyanka Gandhi's candidacy from Wayanad in a special press conference. If Priyanka Gandhi secures victory there, it will result in three members of the Nehru-Gandhi family holding seats in Parliament: Sonia Gandhi in the Rajya Sabha, and Rahul Gandhi along with Priyanka Gandhi in the Lok Sabha. 

Ending speculation on the issue, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge announced on Monday the decision on the two seats after the party's top brass held discussions at his residence in the national capital.

Rahul Gandhi's sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will make her electoral debut by contesting the Wayanad bypoll.

Following Rahul Gandhi's resignation from one of the two seats he had won, the Congress' tally in the Lower House now stands at 98.

The Wayanad seat will be the first constituency to go for a bypoll in the 18th Lok Sabha.

"Shri Rahul Gandhi, an elected member of Lok Sabha from two constituencies viz Wayanad and Rae Bareli parliamentary constituencies of Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, respectively, has resigned his seat in Lok Sabha from Wayanad parliamentary constituency of Kerala and his resignation has been accepted by the speaker with effect from June 18," a Lok Sabha bulletin said.

If Priyanka Gandhi is elected from Wayanad, it will be the first time that all three Gandhi family members -- Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi -- will be in Parliament together.

Sonia Gandhi is now a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Before a 1996 amendment in the electoral laws, there was no bar on the number of seats a person could contest.

If a candidate wins from two seats, he or she has to quit one within 14 days of the election or faces the possibility of losing both the seats.

The winning candidates will take oath as Lok Sabha members on June 24 and 25.

The first session of the new Lok Sabha commences on June 24.

(With PTI inputs)