The Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is all set to file her nomination for the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-poll on Wednesday. According to party sources, it has been confirmed that the party will be represented by the top brass in Congress, President Mallikarjun Kharge, apart from the former party chiefs Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.
Ahead of the nomination, Priyanka met Kharge to seek his blessings. On the day of filing, she and Rahul will lead a roadshow starting from Kalpetta New Bus Stand at 11 AM before submitting the official papers at noon.
The nomination of Priyanka as the UDF candidate for Wayanad comes after the Election Commission announced a bypoll from the constituency. Party workers have put up posters in the constituency declaring “Wayanadinte Priyankari” (“Wayanad’s beloved”).
After the Lok Sabha elections, it had been agreed that Rahul Gandhi would retain the Rae Bareli seat and vacate Wayanad for Priyanka’s candidature. If elected, this will be her maiden term in Parliament and the first time that all three members of the Gandhi family—Sonia, Rahul, and Priyanka—will sit together.
The by-polls for Wayanad and other constituencies, including Nanded, are scheduled for November 13; the results are due on November 23.
Since Priyanka entered active politics in 2019, she was seen as a potential challenger to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a successor to Sonia in Rae Bareli. She played a strategically active role, which helped the Congress gain momentum in different states.
True to her confidence, Priyanka said, “I am not nervous at all. I will work hard to ensure everybody feels represented.” Her candidature marks the right time for Congress to regain momentum after losing in recent elections, notably in Haryana.
