In a significant political move, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra officially filed her nomination papers on October 23 for the upcoming Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll, marking her much-anticipated electoral debut. This by-election, scheduled for November 13, was triggered by her brother, Rahul Gandhi, vacating the seat after being re-elected from Rae Bareli.
Accompanied by Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka held a vibrant roadshow before submitting her nomination papers, signaling the start of an intense campaign. The United Democratic Front (UDF) is banking on her star power and deep connection with the constituency, which Rahul Gandhi won by a significant margin in both 2019 and 2024, despite a slight dip in votes earlier this year. The UDF aims to expand the margin to over 500,000 votes, a claim backed by its leadership.
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The bypoll has garnered national attention, with political observers keenly watching Priyanka’s first electoral foray. Her opponent from the Left Democratic Front (LDF) is CPI’s Sathyan Mokeri, while the BJP has fielded Navya Haridas as its candidate.
Rahul Gandhi expressed his confidence in his sister’s ability to represent Wayanad, noting her long-standing connection with the people of Kerala. “Priyanka is the right choice for Wayanad,” he said, emphasizing the Gandhi family’s commitment to the region. Meanwhile, UDF leaders are optimistic about increasing voter turnout and further consolidating their support base under her leadership.
As the election date approaches, the Wayanad constituency is expected to see a high-voltage campaign, with the Congress pulling out all stops to retain this key seat.