The Wayanad seat, set for a bypoll on 13 November, became vacant after Rahul Gandhi opted to retain his parliamentary constituency in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh.
Published Nov 03, 2024 | 3:37 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 03, 2024 | 3:37 PM
Congress mobilises for Priyanka Gandhi’s poll debut in Wayanad
The Congress party is fully committed to securing a significant victory for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as she makes her electoral debut from the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala.
On 23 October, Priyanka filed her nomination, surrounded by prominent party figures including her mother, Sonia Gandhi; her brother, Rahul Gandhi; Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Mallikarjun Kharge; and other top leaders.
Following her nomination, a grand roadshow attracted numerous Congress leaders and supporters from across the country.
The Wayanad seat, set for a bypoll on 13 November, became vacant after Rahul Gandhi opted to retain his parliamentary constituency in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh.
Priyanka’s campaign strategy focuses on intimate meetings and leveraging the “Gandhi family’s personal touch.” She addresses a blend of local issues—like farmers’ challenges and the rehabilitation of landslide victims—alongside national concerns.
Accompanied by her brother Rahul Gandhi at a public meeting in Wayanad today, 3 November, Priyanka Gandhi said, “Standing here in Mananthavady today, where my father’s ashes were also brought, this land where all of you live together, no matter what religion you’re from, in peaceful co-existence, it’s a great honour for me to be here.”
“When my brother, Rahul Gandhi ji was facing difficulties, he was being attacked everyday by the BJP, a huge campaign was launched against him to tarnish his reputation. Then it was you, my sisters and brothers, who recognised that this man is fighting for what is right, fighting for the truth and you stood by him and gave him the courage to fight,” she said.
“My brother has been telling me about all the issues you’ve been facing, and I have been noticing that the people of Wayanad have immense potential. With the natural beauty you have, so much can be done to strengthen tourism here. You grow crops like coffee, rice, tea and so many valuable crops that should be marketed properly and if a good food processing mechanism was there, so much more could be done to enhance your livelihoods.”
Touching upon on the issue of unemployment, she said “As you know, unemployment is at an all time high in the country. You work so hard to educate your children, but it is almost impossible for them to find jobs today.”
She said, “My brother fought hard for the medical college. But the facilities that need to be provided there still need to be strengthened. It is sad that after all the efforts, that the state government has put a board saying ‘medical college’ but still not started the activities to make it a fully functioning facility. I know how deeply you feel for this issue.”
“I am promising you, that the fight Rahul ji started, to establish the medical college and its full facilities in Wayanad, will be carried on by me.”
“My tribal brothers and sisters, you face so many difficulties. There is a lack of basic facilities, drinking water facilities. Rahul ji did so much to provide housing and to help you overcome these difficulties. But more finding is needed for your housing.”
“Lack of access to medical facilities is such a big issue. Rahul ji started the medical vans, which I will continue but I will also come to you and understand how we can fight to have your problems alleviated and have a better future.”
Attacking the BJP, Priyanka Gandhi said, “But the fundamental issue, the reason why there isn’t any focus on resolving your daily problems. Why prices are rising across the country, why unemployment is at an all time high, is that the governments that are there in the centre and the state are not working for the people.”
“Modi ji’s government only works for his big businessman friends. His objective is not to give you a better life.. it is simply to stay in power by any means possible.”
“And what are those means? Those means are dividing you, spreading anger and hatred, taking away your rights, oppressing democratic institutions, taking your lands away from you and giving them to big business people, everything that rightfully belongs to the people of India and handing it to his friends.”
“The fight that Rahul Gandhi ji has been fighting, is your fight. So my sisters and brothers of Wayanad, stand with us and fight as you have done before and let us create a better future for our country,” she concluded.
Priyanka faces competition from CPI candidate Sathyan Mokeri and BJP’s Navya Haridas, a local councillor with ties to the Sangh Parivar.
Wayanad has a diverse demographic, with approximately 43% Muslims, 13% Christians, 10% tribals, and 7% Dalits, making it one of Congress’s safer constituencies. Rahul Gandhi previously won this seat in 2019 with a margin of 4.32 lakh votes, although this was reduced to 3.64 lakh in the latest elections.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
