In the upcoming November 13 bypoll for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, BJP candidate Navya Haridas is banking on her extensive political experience to take on Congress’ Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is making her electoral debut. Haridas, a software engineer with international experience and a seasoned politician, aims to present herself as a capable alternative to Vadra, whom she claims lacks experience as a people’s representative.
Navya Haridas has served as a councillor in Kozhikode for two consecutive terms and contested the 2021 Assembly elections. In an interview with PTI on Tuesday, she said, "Priyanka Gandhi is a national figure due to her family background, but this is her first election. I have been representing the people for many years, so contesting against her doesn’t feel any different to me."
The by-election was triggered when Rahul Gandhi vacated the Wayanad seat after winning from Rae Bareli in the 2024 general elections. The Congress handed the constituency over to Priyanka Gandhi, a move that Haridas criticized as a sign of "family dominance", as per the report.
Haridas, who also serves as the state general secretary of the Mahila Morcha, emphasized BJP’s development agenda, which she believes will resonate with the voters. She said, "BJP always puts forward the agenda of development. Wayanad has seen no intervention from its representatives on key issues for years."
She acknowledged that Wayanad is not traditionally a BJP stronghold but pointed to the party’s growing support base. "The party's vote share doubled in the last Lok Sabha elections. We believe this trend will continue, and we are confident that voters in Wayanad will support us."
Competing in this three-way contest is CPI leader Sathyan Mokeri, representing the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). However, Haridas sees the primary contest as being between the Congress and BJP, asserting, "This election was necessitated by Congress' irresponsibility, and we will highlight this issue."
As Priyanka Gandhi is set to begin her campaign with a roadshow in Kalpetta, all eyes are on Wayanad to see whether Navya Haridas’ grassroots experience and BJP’s development narrative can sway voters in this crucial by-election.