Priyanka Gandhi secures her first poll victory, pips LDF and BJP to win Wayanad by 4 lakh votes

Priyanka Gandhi wins in Wayanad: Congress candidate and debutant Priyanka Gandhi Vadra won the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat vacated by her brother and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, after he retained Rae Barelli. 

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Priyanka has secured 6,22,338 votes, with her closest competitor, CPI candidate Sathyan Mokeri, trailing behind with only 2,11,407 votes. BJP’s Navya Haridas holds the third position with 1,09,939 votes.

The by-poll for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat was held on November 13.

Of the 16 candidates who contested, the main contenders were Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was making her electoral debut, CPI(M)-led LDF's Sathyan Mokeri, a political veteran, and BJP-headed NDA's Navya Haridas.

The counting of votes commenced at 8 am, with postal ballots being taken up first. The strong rooms, where the EVMs were kept, were opened more than an hour before counting began, PTI reported. 

Wayanad Bypolls: A Triangular Contest in Congress's Stronghold

Wayanad, traditionally a Congress stronghold, is witnessing a triangular contest between Priyanka Gandhi, BJP’s Navya Haridas, and Left candidate Sathyan Mokeri. Priyanka is contesting the seat as part of the United Democratic Front (UDF) following the vacancy created by her brother Rahul Gandhi’s decision to retain his Raebareli seat after the general elections.

Wayanad Bypolls: Priyanka Gandhi’s Strong Start

At 9 am, the trends suggested that Priyanka Gandhi was well-positioned to retain Wayanad for the Congress. By winning the seat, she joined her family legacy in Parliament, becoming the second member of the Gandhi family to represent the constituency.

Wayanad Bypolls: BJP’s Haridas Confident of Victory

Earlier, BJP’s Navya Haridas was optimistic about her chances. Speaking to ANI, Haridas expressed confidence that if the people of Wayanad wanted development, they would opt for the NDA. She highlighted the drop in voting percentage, suggesting that the electorate's mood had shifted since Rahul Gandhi's victory in the previous elections.

Wayanad Bypolls: Priyanka Gandhi Criticises Centre’s Response to Wayanad Landslides

During her campaign, Priyanka Gandhi strongly criticised the BJP-led central government for its refusal to declare the Wayanad landslides a national disaster. She described the decision as “shocking injustice” to the victims, and accused the government of denying essential relief to those in need.

As the results unfold, Wayanad remains a focal point in the ongoing political battle in Kerala.