The Congress party announced on Tuesday that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be its candidate for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, with the bypoll scheduled for November 13. This comes after her brother, Rahul Gandhi, previously held the seat but vacated it after winning in Rae Bareli during the general elections.
At 52, Priyanka’s political entry marks a significant moment, coming 20 years after she was first seen campaigning alongside her mother, Sonia Gandhi, during the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. While her focus has largely been on Uttar Pradesh, which includes the Congress strongholds of Amethi and Rae Bareli, her nomination reflects a strategic move for the party in Kerala.
In addition to Priyanka, the Congress has also named Rahul Mamkootathil as its candidate for the Palakkad Assembly seat and Ramya Haridas for the Chelakkara Assembly constituency in Thrissur.
The upcoming bypolls will take place not only in Wayanad but also for 47 assembly seats across 14 states, as announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Bypolls for the Kedarnath assembly seat in Uttarakhand and the Nanded Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra are set for November 20, with results to be declared on November 23.
Following her nomination, Priyanka expressed confidence, stating, “I am not nervous at all. I am very happy to be able to represent Wayanad. I will work hard and try my best to be a good representative.” She emphasized her strong connection to Rae Bareli, noting her two decades of work there, and affirmed that she and Rahul will collaborate in both constituencies to serve their constituents effectively.
It is important to note that the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat has been vacated by former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who was also elected to the Rae Bareli constituency in Uttar Pradesh during the general elections held earlier this year. After securing victory in both seats, Rahul Gandhi decided to retain the Rae Bareli seat, which he has represented since the 2019 general elections. This decision paves the way for the upcoming bypoll in Wayanad, where the Congress party has now nominated Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as its candidate.
