WATCH: Priyanka Gandhi Draws Sea Of Supporters At Roadshow In Wayanad, Says 'First Time In 35 Years...'

Wayanad by-election was necessitated after Rahul Gandhi, the current Leader of Opposition, decided to retain his Amethi seat and vacated Wayanad, a constituency he had represented in the Lok Sabha.

Priyanka Gandhi praised the people of Wayanad for standing by her brother during challenging times.

Source : PTI

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led a grand roadshow in Kerala's Wayanad, drawing massive crowds ahead of the upcoming bypolls. She was joined by her brother and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and her mother senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi as she officially launched her campaign for the Lok Sabha bypolls.

Addressing the enthusiastic supporters, Priyanka expressed her gratitude and underscored her commitment to the people of Wayanad.

Wayanad Bypolls: Priyanka Begins First Campaign 

In a heartfelt speech, Priyanka reflected on her decades of campaigning for others, stating, "It has been 35 years that I have been campaigning for different elections. This is the first time I am campaigning for your support for myself." The Congress leader acknowledged the significance of her electoral debut in Wayanad, a seat previously held by her brother and Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi.

The by-election was necessitated after Rahul Gandhi, the current Leader of Opposition, decided to retain his Amethi seat and vacated Wayanad, a constituency he had represented in the Lok Sabha.

Priyanka praised the people of Wayanad for standing by her brother during challenging times. Referring to Rahul’s ambitious Bharat Jodo Yatra, she said, “These values of truth and non-violence moved my brother to walk 8,000 km across India for love and unity. He could not have done that without your support… You stood with my brother when the whole world was turning its back against him. You gave him the strength and courage to keep fighting. My whole family will always remain indebted and grateful to you.”

Emphasising the close bond between the Gandhi family and Wayanad, Priyanka promised to build on her brother’s legacy. "I know he had to leave you, and I promise that I will only strengthen the bond between you and him," she assured. Priyanka added that Rahul had informed her of the challenges faced by the constituency, and she expressed her intention to engage directly with residents to understand their issues. “I want to come to your house and understand straight from you what your issues are and how we can tackle them,” she said, reinforcing her personal commitment to the people.

#WATCH | Kerala: Addressing a public rally in Wayanad, Congress candidate Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, "These values (truth and non-violence) moved my brother to walk 8000 km across India for love and unity... He could not have done that without your support... You stood with my… pic.twitter.com/nv8gbsP8Mu

— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2024

Priyanka Gandhi Holds Roadshow

The roadshow, stretching along a nearly 1.5 km route leading to the Wayanad Collectorate, saw thousands of enthusiastic supporters lining the streets, eager to catch a glimpse of Priyanka Gandhi, her mother Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi. The trio’s presence created a palpable buzz in the region, with many residents traveling from distant places to witness the leaders. 

Priyanka and Sonia Gandhi arrived in Wayanad from Mysuru late Tuesday night, making an instant connection with the crowd.

Priyanka Gandhi’s stop at the residence of a former defence personnel drew people's attention. She spent around 20 minutes engaging with the veteran's family, particularly sharing light-hearted moments with Thressia, the veteran's aged mother. The interaction, broadcasted live by various news channels, seemed to leave a lasting impression on viewers and locals alike, sparking discussions of a sweeping victory in the upcoming bypolls. While initial predictions placed her margin at around five lakh votes, speculation is now rife that the final figure could surpass that significantly.

The roadshow not only demonstrated Priyanka Gandhi’s appeal but also marked a strategic move by the Congress, which is aiming to retain its stronghold in the constituency. Both Priyanka and Sonia Gandhi are staying at a familiar resort frequently visited by Rahul Gandhi during his past visits to Wayanad. Rahul retained Wayanad during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but vacated it shortly after in favor of Rae Bareli, a seat previously held by Sonia Gandhi.

The roadshow and warm public reception are being seen as a boost to Congress’ campaign in the region, emphasizing the party's efforts to consolidate its voter base ahead of the bypolls. As anticipation builds, political analysts are watching closely to see how Priyanka Gandhi's popularity in Wayanad translates into electoral success.

 

#WATCH | Kerala: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shares a candid moment with a young girl during her roadshow ahead of filing nomination for Wayanad Lok Sabha by-elections shortly.

Her brother and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, her husband Robert Vadra and her son… pic.twitter.com/dqm58zkQcD

— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2024