A mouth-watering electoral contest could be on the cards once again with the Congress hinting at the return of party leader Rahul Gandhi in the poll fray from Amethi, a seat that was traditionally seen as the pocketborough of the Gandhi family.

Speaking to the media, Congress MP and general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said that the final decision on contesting from Amethi rests with the CEC, but people want Rahul Gandhi to return.

“Mahaul wapasi ka hai (there is an atmosphere of Rahul’s return). We heard in Gauriganj, Babuganj and Amethi that Rahul Bhaiyya should return. That depends on Rahul, the party’s CEC (Central Election Committee) and the Congress president. But people realise that they made a mistake in 2019 (by electing BJP’s Smriti Irani) and they want Rahul back,” Ramesh said.

The Congress leader’s remarks came a day after Union minister and sitting MP from Amethi, Smriti Irani, challenged Rahul to contest from Amethi. On Monday, the two leaders happened to be in Amethi at the same time leading to an intense political buzz around the looming contest.

Addressing the media on Monday, Irani, who defeated Rahul in Amethi by around 55,000 votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, said empty streets welcomed the Congress leader’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra upon their arrival in Amethi. “It is a testament to the rejection of Rahul Gandhi by the people of Amethi. The Congress refers to him (Rahul) as a tall leader. He should quit his Wayanad seat and contest from Amethi without the support of the SP or BSP if Congress’ claims are true,” she said.

The Nyay Yatra, which made a brief halt in Amethi due to Rahul’s appearance in a defamation case at a Sultanpur court, saw Rahul and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hold a public meeting in the Gandhi scion’s erstwhile constituency.

“I have come to Amethi and you have welcomed me with love. Our relationship is long-standing, one of love. I thank you all from the heart,” Rahul said. The Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, stayed overnight in Amethi’s Tendua area before heading to Raebareli, another Gandhi family bastion that Sonia Gandhi vacated for the Rajya Sabha elections.

Amethi and Raebareli are among the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. Lok Sabha elections are due in April-May this year.