ECNETNews reports that Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is set to launch her election campaign for the bypoll in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency next week.
The byelection has gained significant attention following her brother Rahul Gandhi’s decision to retain the Rae Bareli seat, leading to expectations of a highly competitive race among major political alliances.
Sathyan Mokeri, a veteran leader from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate, officially began his campaign on Saturday, signaling an intense electoral contest ahead.
UDF leaders announced that Ms. Vadra will file her nomination on October 23, accompanied by a roadshow featuring Mr. Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
She is anticipated to spend about a week in the constituency, focusing on grassroots campaigning. Additionally, she will engage in campaigning at Chelakkara and Palakkad Assembly constituencies, where byelections are scheduled for November 13.
T. Siddique, MLA and working president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, stated that the UDF has successfully completed constituency-level conventions and is set to conclude panchayat-level conventions by Tuesday. UDF leaders express confidence in Ms. Vadra’s electoral success, predicting a record margin of victory in her first contest.
In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has yet to announce its candidate for the Lok Sabha bypoll.
During his campaign kickoff, Mr. Mokeri questioned whether Ms. Vadra would remain committed to Wayanad should she win, criticizing UDF’s electoral strategy and suggesting a lack of assurance regarding her ongoing dedication to the constituency.
“Take a look at former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi. He won and then left. How many days did he spend here?” Mr. Mokeri questioned, stressing the importance of candidates addressing the development challenges of the area rather than merely seeking electoral gain.
Mr. Mokeri further noted that there was no substantial response from the UDF regarding their rationale for contesting elections in a region where democratic and Left forces are prevalent while fascist groups remain weak.
Published – October 19, 2024 07:39 pm IST
