What’s Next for Wayanad if Rahul Gandhi Vacates His Seat?

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is likely to vacate his Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, said sources. Leaders from the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) hinted at this possibility. Speculation also emerged that Priyanka Gandhi might be considered to succeed her brother.

The first clear hint about a potential by-election in Wayanad came from P.K. Kunhalikutty, the national general secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). “The League (IUML) is focusing on the Rajya Sabha seat, which has been decided. The Congress will contest from Wayanad,” Kunhalikutty told reporters, amid growing rumors regarding Rahul Gandhi’s retention of his Rae Bareli seat in Uttar Pradesh.

Later, state Congress president K. Sudhakaran addressed the media, suggesting that K. Muraleedharan, who had lost to BJP’s Suresh Gopi in Thrissur, could be a potential candidate for Wayanad. “Muraleedharan is capable of any role in the party, and there are no hurdles in fielding him from Wayanad,” Sudhakaran stated, reassuring party members that Muraleedharan, who had stepped back from public life after his defeat, would continue to be active in Congress.

Kunhalikutty’s remarks about the Rajya Sabha seat reflect the internal competition within the UDF for the one seat they are likely to win in the June 25 elections. With three seats becoming vacant on July 1, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to secure two seats for the CPI and CPM, leaving one seat for the Congress.

Kunhalikutty’s comments on a possible Wayanad by-election were timely, as suggestions within the Congress surfaced to field Muraleedharan from Wayanad. Despite finishing third in the Thrissur race, Muraleedharan is rumored to be eyeing the state party chief’s position, making his candidacy in Wayanad unlikely.

Instead, party sources revealed that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) leadership, including general secretary and MP-elect from Alappuzha, K.C. Venugopal, favors Priyanka Gandhi for the Wayanad seat. Fielding Priyanka could help maintain the strong connection Rahul Gandhi had developed with the Wayanad electorate, who had elected him by a margin of 431,770 votes in 2019. Rahul Gandhi has often referred to the people of Wayanad as his family, underscoring the special bond he shares with them.