On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra officially entered the political arena by filing her nomination for the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll. Accompanied by prominent leaders including her mother, Sonia Gandhi, her brother, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, her husband Robert Vadra, and other national and state Congress leaders, Priyanka made her move in what could be a significant political event for the Congress party.
Before filing her nomination papers, Priyanka led a massive roadshow through Kalpetta in Wayanad. The roadshow began around 11:45 a.m. and gathered considerable public attention as it proceeded through the town. It was a key part of her electoral campaign for the bypoll. Alongside her were her brother Rahul, her husband Robert Vadra, one of their children, as well as senior leaders from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and United Democratic Front (UDF).
The enthusiasm among supporters was palpable as thousands gathered to witness the spectacle, with party workers and UDF leaders joining in the march. This show of strength aimed to garner support for Priyanka’s candidacy in Wayanad, a constituency that had become vacant after her brother, Rahul Gandhi, decided to step down after also winning from Rae Bareli. The bypoll has thus opened the door for Priyanka’s entry into active electoral politics.
Addressing the crowd after the roadshow, Priyanka shared memories of her early involvement in politics. She recalled how she began campaigning in 1989, at the young age of 17, to support her father, the late Rajiv Gandhi. She expressed her gratitude and sense of privilege in being chosen to represent the people of Wayanad. “It is an honour for me to represent the people of Wayanad. I have been touched by the courage and resilience displayed by the people, especially during the devastating landslides that hit the district,” she said in her speech, striking a chord with her audience.
Following Priyanka’s speech, her brother Rahul Gandhi also took to the stage to speak to the public. Rahul, who had represented the Wayanad constituency in the 2019 elections and retained his seat until 2024, expressed his belief in Priyanka’s ability to serve the people of Wayanad well. “Once my sister wins, the people of Wayanad will have two MPs,” he said, referring to the continued support he would provide to the region, even though he is no longer the official representative.
“I will be the unofficial MP of the people of Wayanad,” Rahul Gandhi added, emphasizing his connection to the constituency and his commitment to its people. He appealed to the crowd to take care of his sister and vote for her in the bypoll, making it clear that the family and the Congress party were fully behind her candidacy.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also offered his support to Priyanka during the event. Kharge praised Priyanka’s dedication to the people of Wayanad, noting that she was not there just to file her nomination, but to stand up as a “relentless champion” for the people of the district. “Bless her, and she will deliver the results,” Kharge urged the crowd, reinforcing the message of confidence in Priyanka’s potential as a representative.
After the public address and roadshow, Priyanka proceeded to the Wayanad Collectorate to submit her official nomination papers to District Collector D.R. Meghashree. This marked the formal beginning of her electoral contest in the constituency, which is expected to be a closely watched race.
The roadshow in Kalpetta was a significant political event in its own right, as it showcased the strength of the Congress party in Wayanad and the support Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has within the party. Thousands of supporters lined the streets, and it was clear that the Congress had pulled out all the stops to make this event a success. Leaders from the UDF and Congress were seen alongside her, boosting the morale of the party’s workers and supporters.
Priyanka’s arrival in Wayanad took place the night before, on Tuesday, October 22. She and her mother, Sonia Gandhi, reached Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad around 9 p.m., in preparation for the nomination filing. They were joined by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and chief ministers from a few Congress-ruled states, who were all in Wayanad to support Priyanka in her roadshow and nomination process.
The Wayanad bypoll is seen as a crucial moment for the Congress party, particularly with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra being the latest member of the influential Gandhi family to make her electoral debut. She joins a long line of Gandhis who have contested elections, and this bypoll is viewed as a significant step in her political career.
However, the bypoll will not be an uncontested race. Priyanka will face stiff competition from candidates of other major political parties. The main contenders are Sathyan Mokeri from the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and Navya Haridas from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Both candidates are expected to present a challenge to Priyanka, making this an intense battle for the seat.
Rahul Gandhi, who has been a strong advocate for Priyanka’s candidacy, took to social media to express his confidence in his sister. On Tuesday, he posted on X, stating, “The people of Wayanad hold a special place in my heart, and I can’t imagine a better representative for them than my sister, @priyankagandhi. I’m confident she will be a passionate champion of Wayanad’s needs and a powerful voice in Parliament.” His message further highlighted the significance of Priyanka’s candidacy, not just for the Gandhi family but for the Congress party as a whole.
As the Wayanad bypoll campaign moves forward, all eyes will be on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her ability to mobilize support in the constituency. With the backing of top Congress leaders and her family, her entry into electoral politics could mark the beginning of a new chapter for both her and the Congress party in Kerala.
