Team Gandhi leaves for Wayanad as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra prepares to file bypoll nomination

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is set to file her nomination for the Wayanad bypoll on October 23. She was seen leaving Delhi for Kerala along with her brother, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi , after he vacated the Wayanad seat.

Accompanying Priyanka are Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge . The high-profile nomination will take place tomorrow in Wayanad, Kerala, where Priyanka will officially enter the by-election fray.

Earlier today, Rahul and Priyanka were spotted at Delhi airport, heading to Kerala to kick off the campaign. Priyanka has been fielded as the Congress candidate for the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election, with her nomination scheduled for tomorrow.

#WATCH | Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi along with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra leave for Kerala's Wayanad from Delhi airport.

Congress candidate for Wayanad Lok Sabha by-elections Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will file her nomination papers tomorrow, October 23. pic.twitter.com/i5MweiUQqx

— ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2024

Rahul Gandhi expressing his confidence in Priyanka's ability to represent Wayanad wrote on X, "The people of Wayanad hold a special place in my heart, and I can't imagine a better representative for them than my sister, Priyanka Gandhi. I'm confident she will be a passionate champion of Wayanad's needs and a powerful voice in Parliament. Join us tomorrow, 23rd October, as she files her nomination for the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. Together, let's ensure Wayanad continues to be represented with love."

The people of Wayanad hold a special place in my heart, and I can’t imagine a better representative for them than my sister, @priyankagandhi.

I’m confident she will be a passionate champion of Wayanad’s needs and a powerful voice in Parliament.

Join us tomorrow, 23rd October,… pic.twitter.com/Pe4GVUhGXL

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 22, 2024

In a separate post, Rahul also praised the strength of Indian democracy and said, "The people of India have saved the Constitution and democracy. The deprived and poor population of the country stood with India to protect their rights. Congratulations to all the alliance partners and the lion-hearted workers of Congress."

भारत की जनता ने संविधान और लोकतंत्र को बचा लिया है।

देश की वंचित और गरीब आबादी अपने अधिकारों की रक्षा के लिए INDIA के साथ खड़ी हो गयी।

गठबंधन के सभी साथियों और कांग्रेस के बब्बर शेर कार्यकर्ताओं को बधाई। pic.twitter.com/MrWJPWU26A

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 4, 2024

Priyanka met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday to finalise campaign strategies. Before filing her nomination tomorrow, she and Rahul will lead a roadshow from Kalpetta New Bus Stand in Wayanad. Senior Congress leaders are expected to attend the filing before the district collector.

केरल की वायनाड संसदीय सीट पर नामांकन और चुनावी अभियान से पहले आज भारतीय राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष श्री मल्लिकार्जुन खरगे जी से मुलाकात कर उनका मार्गदर्शन और आशीर्वाद लिया। pic.twitter.com/lGxWvIiH9X

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) October 21, 2024

The bypoll was necessitated after Rahul Gandhi vacated the Wayanad seat. The Congress, as part of the United Democratic Front (UDF) alliance, quickly announced Priyanka's candidature after the Election Commission of India (ECI) declared the by-election. Priyanka, who has served as the All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary for five years, is making her electoral debut in this contest.

The by-election for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat is scheduled for November 13. The ECI has also announced bypolls for 47 assembly seats across 15 states. Priyanka’s entry into electoral politics has attracted significant attention, with Congress leaders rallying behind her in anticipation of a strong campaign in Wayanad.