Priyanka Gandhi Files Nomination for Wayanad By-Poll, Accompanied by Top Congress Leaders

AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra officially filed her nomination for the upcoming Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election on Wednesday. The by-poll, set to take place on November 13, has garnered significant attention with Priyanka Gandhi entering the race for the seat.

Priyanka Gandhi submitted her nomination papers to District Collector D.R. Meghasree at the Wayanad Collectorate. She was accompanied by key Congress leaders, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Rajya Sabha MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and AICC Organizing Secretary K.C. Venugopal.

Also present during the nomination process were Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State President Panakkad Shihabli Thanghal and Priyanka’s husband, Robert Vadra. They joined her at the Collectorate around noon, with the formalities of filing the nomination taking approximately 35 minutes.

Priyanka Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi had arrived in Wayanad a day earlier, while Kharge and Rahul Gandhi reached the constituency on the morning of the nomination filing. The event saw massive support from party members and the public, with thousands of Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) workers, along with women, children, and others, lining the streets to show their support.

Before filing her nomination, Priyanka Gandhi, along with her fellow Congress leaders, participated in a 1.5-kilometer-long roadshow, which lasted for about three hours. The procession started at the Kalpetta New Bus Stand and concluded near the Collectorate, with large crowds carrying Congress flags and banners, celebrating their leaders’ presence.

In a public address at Kalpetta, Priyanka Gandhi reflected on her long history of campaigning for her family members, including her father, Rajiv Gandhi, her mother, Sonia Gandhi, and her brother, Rahul Gandhi. However, she expressed her gratitude to AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and the Congress Party for the opportunity to contest an election herself, marking a significant milestone in her political career.

Rahul Gandhi, in his speech, highlighted the unique relationship between Wayanad and his family, referring to the constituency as having “two MPs”—one official and one unofficial—signifying the continued commitment of both him and Priyanka Gandhi to the region’s welfare. He expressed confidence in Priyanka Gandhi’s dedication, stating that she would serve Wayanad’s people as selflessly as she has supported her family and friends. He also emphasized that Priyanka Gandhi considers the people of Wayanad to be her extended family, assuring them that both he and she would work tirelessly to address their concerns in Parliament.

AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, addressing the gathering, reiterated the Congress Party’s deep connection with Wayanad. He emphasized Priyanka Gandhi’s leadership qualities, stating that she would be a tireless advocate for the people of Wayanad, and that her work would extend beyond the region, contributing to national development. Kharge called on the people of Wayanad to place their trust in Priyanka Gandhi, expressing confidence that they would deliver a strong mandate in the by-election.

As the by-poll draws closer, the Congress Party is hopeful that Priyanka Gandhi’s candidacy will resonate with voters in Wayanad, a constituency that has long held significance for the party.