In a significant political development, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, joined by her mother Sonia Gandhi and brother Rahul Gandhi, made an emotional appeal to the people of Wayanad as she campaigned for the first time for herself. Addressing a public meeting in Kerala’s Wayanad before filing her nomination for the upcoming bypoll, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared her personal journey, marking her formal entry into electoral politics.
“I was 17 when I campaigned for my father (former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi). Then I campaigned for my mother and brother and many of my colleagues. For 35 years, I have been campaigning in different elections, but this is the first time I am campaigning in an election and seeking your support for myself. It is a very different feeling,” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra told the crowd.
LIVE: Nomination | Road Show | Wayanad | Kerala.https://t.co/Wg7X54tdAh
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) October 23, 2024
She expressed gratitude to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for giving her the opportunity to contest and added, “It will be my honour to represent you if you give me a chance.”
The Wayanad Connection
Wayanad has a deep political connection with the Gandhi family. The seat was previously represented by Rahul Gandhi, who won the constituency during the last Lok Sabha elections. However, after securing victory in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, he vacated the Wayanad seat, setting the stage for his sister’s electoral debut.
LIVE: Nomination | Road Show | Wayanad | Kerala.https://t.co/Wg7X54tdAh
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) October 23, 2024
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also recalled visiting Wayanad during challenging times, particularly after the devastating landslides that claimed over 400 lives and displaced thousands. She emphasized the resilience and compassion shown by the community during that period.
“I saw the devastation with my own eyes. I saw children who lost their families… Each and every person I met was engaged in helping each other. To be part of your community is going to be a great privilege for me,” she said.
A Strong Family Presence
Rahul Gandhi, currently the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressed his gratitude to the people of Wayanad. “What Wayanad has done for me cannot be expressed in words,” he said, while also assuring the electorate that they would have two voices in Parliament: “Wayanad will have an official MP and an unofficial MP in Lok Sabha, and they will both raise your issues.”
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge praised Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as a “strong leader” and appealed to the people of Wayanad to place their trust in her.
Electoral Timeline
Wayanad is one of the 48 Lok Sabha seats set to go to the polls on November 13. The counting of votes will take place on November 23, coinciding with the results of the Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s plunge into electoral politics marks a new chapter for the Congress party, with the Gandhi family’s legacy and influence playing a central role. Her emotional connection to Wayanad, her campaign message, and her history of advocacy are expected to resonate with voters, as she steps into the political spotlight.
