Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is expected to contest from Kerala’s Wayanad in the bypolls on November 13, 2024. The by-election was called after her brother, Rahul Gandhi, vacated the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat following the general elections. Rahul had opted to retain his seat in Raebareli, the family’s traditional stronghold. Priyanka’s candidature in Wayanad serves as a signal to voters that the Gandhi family’s association with the constituency remains intact.
Priyanka, often described as the Congress party’s “troubleshooter,” has been a key figure in the party’s campaigns but had previously refrained from contesting elections. She first entered the political scene in 1999, campaigning for her mother, Sonia Gandhi, in Amethi. Despite her deep involvement in party affairs, especially in Uttar Pradesh, she had not run for office until now. Priyanka’s decision to run in Wayanad reflects the Congress party’s strategy to strengthen its foothold in southern India, particularly in Kerala, where the party sees an opportunity to maintain its influence following its successes in Karnataka and Telangana.
This move also aligns with the Congress’s broader goal of balancing its electoral presence across northern and southern India, with Priyanka seen as a pivotal figure in expanding its reach
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