Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is set to file her nomination papers for the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypolls today, marking her official political debut. The bypolls, scheduled for November 13, were called after Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, vacated the seat following his victory in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This move places Priyanka Gandhi at the forefront of the Congress campaign in Kerala, and her candidacy has been met with significant attention, especially from the Congress party and its supporters.
Before filing her nomination papers, Priyanka will participate in a roadshow in Kalpetta, starting at 11 am from the New Bus Stand. She will be accompanied by her brother Rahul Gandhi, several Congress Chief Ministers, and senior party leaders. The event is expected to draw a significant crowd, underscoring the importance of the bypolls for the Congress party. Following the roadshow, Priyanka Gandhi will also address a public gathering in Wayanad.
Priyanka Gandhi is facing competition from BJP’s Navya Haridas, the State General Secretary of the BJP Mahila Morcha, and senior CPI leader Sathyan Mokeri, representing the Left Democratic Front (LDF). Both are seen as strong contenders, and the bypoll is shaping up to be a closely watched contest. Navya Haridas brings the BJP’s focus on empowering women, while Sathyan Mokeri is a seasoned politician with deep roots in the Left movement in Kerala.
Rahul Gandhi, who represented Wayanad from 2019 to 2024, expressed confidence in his sister’s ability to take on the role, stating, “The people of Wayanad hold a special place in my heart, and I can’t imagine a better representative for them than Priyanka Gandhi. She will be a passionate champion of Wayanad’s needs and a powerful voice in Parliament.” His endorsement highlights the emotional and political significance of Wayanad for the Gandhi family.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) officially launched its campaign for Priyanka Gandhi last week, with Congress leaders including KC Venugopal expressing optimism about her victory. Local Congress leaders are preparing for door-to-door campaigns later this week. The vote counting for the Wayanad bypolls is scheduled for November 23.
