(Image source from: Twitter.com/ani_digital)

Sonia Gandhi submitted her nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Rajasthan on Wednesday. Accompanied by her son Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, she arrived at the Jaipur airport earlier today. This will be her first term in the Upper House after serving five terms as a Lok Sabha MP. Upon her arrival, she was warmly greeted by senior leader and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, among others. The Congress party has also announced its list of candidates for the Rajya Sabha election, with Sonia Gandhi nominated from Rajasthan. Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, and Chandrakant Handore have been nominated from Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra respectively. It is certain that the party will secure one Rajya Sabha seat in the state. After representing Rae Bareli in the Lok Sabha, Sonia Gandhi has decided not to contest the next general elections. She was first elected as an MP in 1999 when she assumed the role of Congress president.

In April, several states will see the retirement of their Rajya Sabha members. To fill these seats, an election will take place on February 27. The deadline for nominations is February 15. Ashok Gehlot, former chief minister of Rajasthan, expressed his warm welcome to respected Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji as the Congress Party's candidate for the Rajya Sabha. He commended her decision to step down from the position of Prime Minister. Gehlot also expressed his delight at Gandhi ji's announcement as the Rajasthan Rajya Sabha candidate, noting that it has brought a sense of joy to the entire state and revived old memories. It is worth mentioning that a total of 56 Rajya Sabha members from 15 states will retire in April, making the upcoming election crucial.