'Won't Let Wayanad Feel Rahul Gandhi's Absence': Priyanka Gandhi Vadra On Poll Debut From Kerala

As the Congress announced Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as its candidate for the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll, she expressed her enthusiasm for the role and vowed to represent Wayanad effectively.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday announced General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's candidacy for the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll, a seat to be vacated by her brother Rahul Gandhi as he will retain the Raebareli constituency, a significant stronghold for the Gandhi family in Uttar Pradesh.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared her enthusiasm about the new role, stating, “I am very happy to be able to represent Wayanad and I will not let them feel his (Rahul Gandhi's) absence. I will work hard and I will try my best to make everyone happy and be a good representative. I have a very old relationship with Raebareli and Amethi and it cannot be broken. I will also help my brother in Raebareli. We will both be present in Raebareli and Wayanad.”

The announcement followed a meeting at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence, where the party's leadership debated whether Rahul Gandhi should vacate Wayanad or Raebareli. Rahul Gandhi, who won both seats in the recent elections, had to choose one to keep, as mandated by election rules.

“Our leader Rahul Gandhi was elected from two Lok Sabha seats. As per rules, he will have to vacate one seat and continue on one seat. Since tomorrow is the last date, we have decided that Rahul Gandhi should keep his Raebareli seat, since it has been very close to the family since a long time. He has received love from people of Wayanad, and people there want him to retain the seat but the rules do not allow. So, after a lot of deliberations, we decided that Priyanka Gandhi should contest from Wayanad, and she has agreed for the same,” said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

My Doors Are Always Open For People Of Wayanad: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi expressed his mixed feelings about the decision, highlighting his connections to both constituencies. “I have an emotional connection with both Raebareli and Wayanad. I was the Wayanad MP for the last five years and people of Wayanad gave me love, for which I thank them. Priyanka will contest from Wayanad, but I will continue to visit Wayanad and the promises we made to Wayanad... we will fulfil them. I have a long relation with Raebareli and I am very happy that I will be representing it. This was not an easy decision, because affection is with both (Wayanad and Raebareli),” he said.

Reiterating his confidence in Priyanka's capabilities, Rahul added, “Priyanka Gandhi is going to fight the elections and I am confident that she is going to win the elections. The people of Wayanad can think that they have 2 members of the Parliament, one is my sister and the other is me. My doors are always open for the people of Wayanad, I love every single person in Wayanad.”

The decision comes shortly after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) urged Rahul Gandhi to take up the position of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, passing a resolution to this effect on June 8.