Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is set to face a crucial electoral challenge in her first bypoll campaign in Kerala’s Wayanad constituency, where she aims to not only retain the seat for the party but also expand the victory margin that her brother, Rahul Gandhi, achieved in the past two elections.
Polling began at 7 AM today (Wednesday), with over 1,000 booths set up across the constituency. The votes will be counted on November 23.
Priyanka, who is contesting the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll, has heavily leaned on Rahul’s legacy in the region during her nearly month-long campaign.
Also Read Nationwide caste census will happen, says Rahul Gandhi in poll-bound Maharashtra Gold Prices see a sharp fall, all eyes on Donald Trump’s policies Jharkhand Elections 2024: Amit Shah releases BJP manifesto, promises UCC, five lakh jobs Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024: Full list of Congress Candidates and Constituencies
Also ReadWayanad Bypoll: Primary battle is to safeguard our Constitution, says Rahul Gandhi
She has frequently highlighted the “love and affection” that Rahul received from the people of Wayanad, especially during difficult times, to strengthen her prospects. Rahul, who vacated the seat after winning from Rae Bareli, has also campaigned alongside Priyanka, urging Wayanad voters to extend the same support to her as they did for him.
However, her opponents, including Sathyan Mokeri from the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and Navya Haridas from the NDA, are hoping that Priyanka’s lack of electoral experience will work against her.
Mokeri, who contested the Wayanad seat in 2014, managed to reduce the victory margin of the UDF candidate to just 20,000 votes. Both the LDF and NDA campaigns have also criticised Rahul for allegedly neglecting the constituency after his 2019 victory, suggesting that Priyanka may follow in his footsteps.
The opposition also claims that Rahul’s 2019 victory, in which he secured a margin of over 4.3 lakh votes, was largely due to voters’ belief that he might become prime minister — a scenario unlikely in the upcoming bypolls.
Also ReadPriyanka Gandhi files nomination for Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll after grand roadshow
Priyanka has responded to these attacks by emphasising her long-standing political involvement, claiming she has been active since 1989 when she first campaigned for her father, Rajiv Gandhi.
» Read More
