New Delhi: The long-speculated question surrounding Priyanka Gandhi’s entry into electoral politics has been answered. Congress has announced that Priyanka Gandhi will make her electoral debut from Wayanad, Kerala.
Rahul Gandhi, who previously won from both Wayanad and Raebareli in the Lok Sabha polls, has opted to retain the Uttar Pradesh constituency. Raebareli has been a Gandhi family stronghold, represented by Sonia Gandhi for four terms. Priyanka Gandhi’s electoral debut has been anticipated since the 2019 polls, but she had expressed reservations about all three Gandhis being in Parliament simultaneously. Her decision to enter the electoral arena now underscores the significance of Wayanad for the Congress party, as reflected in Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks.
“The people of Wayanad gave me support and energy to fight in a very difficult time. I will never forget that,” Rahul Gandhi said, reminiscing about the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
In 2019, Rahul Gandhi won the Wayanad seat while losing the Amethi seat to BJP’s Smriti Irani. He retained Wayanad in 2024, defeating CPI-M’s Annie Raja by 3,64,422 votes. With Wayanad being a Congress stronghold, Priyanka Gandhi is expected to secure a victory. Analysts believe this move ensures representation of the Gandhi family in both northern and southern India.
Political analyst Manisha Priyam told India Today that the Congress leadership views Kerala as crucial to its southern strategy. “I don’t think it’s a dropping of Wayanad, it’s an adoption of Wayanad,” Priyam said. She emphasized that Wayanad remains important for the Gandhi family, especially with no direct representation in Tamil Nadu and the presence of DK Shivakumar in Karnataka. Priyanka’s entry signals the Congress’s commitment to the election dynamics in Kerala, amid a rising BJP vote share.
The decision also counters criticism that the Gandhi family has neglected the southern regions despite significant electoral successes there. Another analyst, Rasheed Kidwai, called it a strategic move to strengthen the opposition in the Lok Sabha. Priyanka Gandhi, known for her effective mediation and mass mobilization skills, has already proven to be a capable orator and campaigner.
“The Congress was facing an existential crisis after assembly poll defeats in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh. This move will increase the longevity of the Congress as a challenger to the BJP. The Congress was defensive so far, and now it is on the offensive,” Kidwai added.
Priyanka Gandhi’s candidacy from Wayanad is expected to boost the Congress’s prospects and reinvigorate its political campaign against the BJP.
