Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to file nomination for Wayanad bypoll on October 23

If elected, this will be the first time that Ms. Vadra will enter Parliament as a Member of the Lok Sabha and it will also be the first time that the three Gandhi family members will be in Parliament together

Ahead of filing her nomination for the byelection to the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat on October 23, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday (October 21, 2024) called on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and took his blessings.

“Before filing nomination from Kerala’s Wayanad Parliamentary seat and starting the election, met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge ji to take his guidance and blessings,” Ms. Vadra said in a post on X.

On Wednesday, the 52-year-old Congress leader will file her nomination, which will be attended by her mother and Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and her brother and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Mr. Kharge will also be present.

Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled States and other prominent national and State leaders of the party are also expected to join in as the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is looking to turn the occasion into a show of strength for their candidate.

Ms. Vadra will lead a roadshow from Kalpetta New Bus Stand at 11 a.m. and will file her nomination before the District Collector at 12 noon on October 23.

With the Election Commission (EC) announcing the bypoll to the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat last week, the stage was set for Ms. Vadra’s electoral debut from the Kerala constituency that could see her enter Parliament five years after joining active politics.

The Congress had officially named her the candidate soon after the Election Commission announced the bypoll date. However, the party had announced her name back in June, soon after Mr. Gandhi vacated the seat and decided to retain Rae Bareli parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

If elected, this will be the first time that Ms. Vadra will enter Parliament as a Member of the Lok Sabha and it will also be the first time that the three Gandhi family members will be in Parliament together.

Published - October 21, 2024 09:18 pm IST