Chennai: With senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, and prominent United Democratic Front figures in attendance, the Kerala unit of the Congress Wednesday staged a grand political spectacle in Wayanad to mark the official debut of Priyanka Gandhi into electoral politics.
This is the first time that Priyanka, who played a crucial role in reclaiming Amethi—the Congress’s bastion in the Hindi heartland—in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, is contesting an election herself. Chosen to represent the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, Priyanka filed her nomination papers today after a massive roadshow in Kalpetta. The 1.5 km procession, which started at 11:45 am and lasted around two hours, drew thousands of Congress supporters from across Kerala and neighboring Karnataka.
The Wayanad by-election was announced after Rahul Gandhi decided to vacate the seat, having won both Wayanad and Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli with margins exceeding 3.5 lakh votes. Rahul has represented the Wayanad constituency since 2019.
Rahul, who accompanied his sister to the hilly district in the southern state, said that though he is not representing it anymore, he would continue to work for the constituency.
“I would like to remind you in case you forget that Wayanad is the only constituency in India that has two representatives in Parliament. One is the official member of the parliament. The other is the unofficial member of the parliament. And we will both work together to protect the interests of the people of Wayanad,” Rahul said addressing a massive crowd Wednesday, adding that it was difficult for him to express in words what the constituency has done for him.
Earlier, Priyanka addressing the crowd said the Gandhi family is forever indebted to the people of the constituency for supporting her brother.
“You stood by my brother when the whole world was turning its back against him. You gave him your love, you gave him courage to fight. My whole family will always remain indebted to you,” Priyanka said, promising that she will strengthen the bond that Rahul and the Gandhi family have with the constituency.
Priyanka added that though Rahul has briefed her on key concerns affecting Wayanad—such as the need for a medical college, the night travel ban, and the man-animal conflict—she would like to visit each house in the constituency and understand their issues firsthand
“You (Wayanad) are also my family. And I want you to know the same. I am here to fight for you. I am here to stand by you through thick and thin. I am here to be your voice, to fight your battles. And I will not let you down,” she said.
She noted that campaigning for herself for the first time feels different, despite having spent the past 35 years campaigning for Congress leaders, including her brother.
Priyanka said her party is working to safeguard the democratic principles of the nation as those in power are spreading hatred in the society when the foundation of the nation underlines equality and justice.
“These are the values that we are fighting for today. For truth, for justice, for equality. These are the values that moved my brother to walk 8,000 km across India to conduct his yatra for love and unity. He could not have done that without your support,” she said.
Requesting the voters to elect Priyanka Gandhi with a big margin, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said her presence in the seat is a promise that she is going to relentlessly work for the needs of the people.
“She is a strong woman. She will fight for you. Not just here, for the entire country,” Kharge said.
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