Wayanad Lok Sabha Bypolls: Priyanka Gandhi Enters Electoral Politics, Files Nomination Papers

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addresses a nomination rally for the upcoming Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll, in Wayanad, Kerala, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (Photo: PTI)

Wayanad Lok Sabha Bypolls: Marking her debut in electoral politics, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra filed her nomination for Kerala's Wayanad parliamentary bypolls in the presence of CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, at the collectorate office.

#WATCH | Kerala: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra files her nomination for Wayanad parliamentary by-election, in the presence of CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary KC… pic.twitter.com/ykU6ljJkrm

— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2024

After filing her nomination from the Lok Sabha seat, she said that she is receiving a lot of love from the people in Wayanad. "They (people) are already giving me a lot of love, and I am very grateful for that."

#WATCH | Wayanad, Kerala: After filing her nomination, Congress candidate Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, "They (people) are already giving me a lot of love and I am very grateful for that..." pic.twitter.com/BUTJVhg5dl

— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2024

The Wayanad Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after her brother and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi decided to retain the Rae Bareli parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh, previously held by Sonia Gandhi, and vacate the Wayanad seat in Kerala, from where he secured victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a gathering at Kalpetta ahead of filing nominations for the November 13 bypoll, she said that in the 35 years since then, she has campaigned for her mother, Sonia Gandhi, her brother Rahul Gandhi, and other party colleagues. Her statement comes a day after BJP's Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll candidate Navya Haridas said she was more experienced in representing people than Priyanka.

Congress Parliamentary Party president Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, and other senior party leaders were present on the dais during Priyanka's speech.

During her public address, the Congress general secretary also stated that she considers it an honour to be chosen to represent the people of Wayanad. She also said that she was deeply touched by the courage shown by people of Wayanad at the time of landslides that hit the district. Priyanka would be contesting against LDF's Sathyan Mokeri and BJP's Navya Haridas. Voting in Wayanad will be held on November 13.