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.
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.
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. She assured voters that if elected, she would remain engaged with Wayanad, visiting frequently unless the people of the constituency asked her to refrain.
“I am a fighter and will fight for the people of Wayanad on every platform,” Priyanka stated, seeking to bolster her image as a dedicated leader for the region.
The Wayanad constituency, which has over 14 lakh voters, was vacated by Rahul following his success in the Rae Bareli seat. The bypoll became necessary after he chose to retain his seat in Uttar Pradesh, triggering the need for a fresh election in Wayanad. Rahul had won the seat with a margin of 3.5 lakh votes earlier this year.
In the race for the seat, 16 candidates, including Priyanka, Mokeri, and Haridas, are vying for the support of voters in Wayanad. On the final day of campaigning on Monday, roadshows were held by all major political fronts, with Rahul personally attending to rally support for Priyanka.
The Wayanad constituency spans seven Assembly segments across Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram districts. In preparation for the vote, the authorities have made extensive security arrangements, including the deployment of several companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Armed Police Battalion. Special measures have been taken in areas previously affected by Maoist activities or considered sensitive.
A 24-hour control room and round-the-clock police patrolling have been put in place to ensure smooth voting. Authorities have already seized significant quantities of illicit substances, liquor, and cash ahead of the election.