Priyanka Gandhi’s Maiden Wayanad Contest Sees Voter Turnout Drop to 64.72% in By-Election - Read Now

Priyanka Gandhi is making her electoral debut in a by-election in the Kerala Wayanad constituency that had the lowest voter turnout since the constituency was formed in 2009 when 64.72% cast their ballot. This by-election became necessary after Rahul Gandhi, brother and Congress Opposition Leader, relinquished the Wayanad seat to retain Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh. The dwindling voter turnout, at least compared to Wayanad's previous elections, has piqued the interest of analysts as much as those in the Congress camp.

In addition to the Chelakkara assembly bypoll in Thrissur, where turnout was 72.54%, the by-election was also held in Wayanad. These disparities have raised questions about voting zeal in Wayanad, compared at least to the 72.92% turnout in the general election earlier this year or the spectacular 80.33% in 2019, which marked the first time Rahul Gandhi contested the seat.

Formidable competition before Priyanka Gandhi

The Wayanad by-election finds Priyanka Gandhi once more at war with stiff opposition in the form of CPI veteran Sathyan Mokeri and BJP's young candidate Navya Haridas. Voter turnout, however, has plummeted to a steep fall in this by-election, and controversy rages about the reasons for it. Congress, however, keeps its hopes high and hopes for substantial victories across divisions and looks for every possible reason to ensure Priyanka emerges with a 5-lakh majority vote.

AICC general secretaries, KC Venugopal and Deepa Dasmunsi have been working actively in Wayanad to increase the margin that is to be given to Priyanka Gandhi. They have been accompanying her on many corner meetings wherein the message of concentration of Congress on winning the seat without losing it this time was delivered to the voters present there.
Apart from that, the Congress has also directed its MLAs to remain present in all the assembly segments falling under Wayanad Lok Sabha to ensure maximum support and proper voter turnout.

Campaign by Congress Amid Voter Turnout Concerns

At a time when Congress is getting aggressive with its campaign in Wayanad, the sharp decline in voter turnout has become the talk of the town. Though the party is elated by Priyanka's prospects, an 64.72% turnout raises a question about voter interest and involvement in the polls. Congress's Wayanad campaign where top leaders have been putting in sustained efforts indicates that the party might not be worried too much about the poll outcome as much as it is concerned about winning handsomly.

The Congress-led campaign has made the effort to invest in massive grassroots mobilization, trying to make Priyanka visible by building upon Rahul Gandhi's left legacy in Wayanad. Even with such a low turnout, Congress leaders believe that Priyanka's candidature still has a strong appeal in the hands of the electorate, which will translate into a decisive win.

A Seismic Shift in Kerala's Political Fortunes

Wayanad, which holds an election, might be just the kind of platform where the political landscape of Kerala will be drastically altered. Priyanka Gandhi's maiden foray into Wayanad as a strategic step taken by Congress may influence changes in the leadership strength of the area. BJP's Navya Haridas and CPI's Sathyan Mokeri were her principal challengers to bring a new dimension to the voters of Wayanad in line with the vision Congress had for Kerala.