Wayanad bypoll results: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra leading, CPI’s Sathyan Mokeri trails

The Wayanad parliamentary seat has captured national attention as Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra makes her electoral debut, contesting in the crucial bypoll from the constituency.

Vadra faces competition from CPI veteran Sathyan Mokeri and BJP’s Navya Haridas, with all eyes on whether she can replicate the victory of her brother, Rahul Gandhi, who vacated the seat earlier this year.

Of the 9.52 lakh votes polled, the district Congress leadership estimates close to six lakh votes for her. Its estimates for LDF candidate Sathyan Mokeri and BJP candidate Navya Haridas are close to two lakh and one lakh votes, respectively.“We are not at all worried about the victory or majority Priyanka Gandhi will secure. The low voter turnout will not impact the majority,” AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said, adding that AICC was examining the reasons for the “unexpected” low voter turnout.

Rahul Gandhi’s exit paved way for Priyanka

Rahul Gandhi, who had held the Wayanad seat since 2019, announced his decision to vacate the constituency following his election in the 2024 general elections.

Rahul, having secured victories in both Wayanad and Rae Bareli, chose to retain his seat in Uttar Pradesh, leading to the need for a by-poll in Wayanad. The Congress then nominated Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from the seat.

Three-way contest in Wayanad

Priyanka Gandhi’s entry into the electoral fray has triggered a high-profile contest in Wayanad, where she faces 15 other candidates, including Sathyan Mokeri of the LDF and Navya Haridas of the NDA. With political dynamics at play, this by-poll has become more than just a local contest.

EC has taken extensive steps to ensure a smooth voting process, setting up 1,354 polling booths across the constituency, all equipped with webcasting facilities to monitor the election in real-time.

Congress’s stronghold at stake

Historically, Wayanad has been a Congress stronghold, with the party winning the seat in every election since its creation in 2008. Rahul Gandhi’s victories in 2019 and 2024 were resounding, securing margins of 4.3 lakh and 3.6 lakh votes, respectively.

However, the UDF (United Democratic Front) is now banking on Priyanka Gandhi’s popularity to carry the seat once again. The Congress hopes that her appeal, coupled with the party’s traditional support base among minorities, settler farmers, and tribal communities, will help secure a significant win.

Priyanka’s campaign rallies draw large crowds

Priyanka Gandhi’s campaign rallies have been marked by large female audiences, a trend that the UDF interprets as a positive sign for her electoral prospects.

The rally crowds, coupled with the groundwork being laid by the party in the form of door-to-door outreach and community engagements, indicated that Priyanka positioned herself as a fresh and dynamic face for the constituency.

Courtesy : TOI

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