BJP Fields Navya Haridas in Wayanad, Set to Challenge Priyanka Gandhi
Wayanad, Kerala — In a highly anticipated move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced Navya Haridas as its candidate for the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election. Haridas, a software engineer and currently the General Secretary of the Kerala BJP Mahila Morcha, will go head-to-head with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, who is expected to file her nomination on October 23.
Who Is Navya Haridas?
Navya Haridas is an emerging figure within the BJP. She serves as a councillor from Karapram in Kozhikode and previously contested the 2021 Kerala Assembly elections from Kozhikode South, although she did not secure a win. Haridas is well-known for her leadership within the Kerala BJP, where she currently holds the position of leader of the BJP Parliamentary Party in the Kozhikode Corporation.
By fielding Haridas in Wayanad, the BJP is setting up a high-profile battle against Priyanka Gandhi, who is campaigning to hold the seat previously vacated by her brother, Rahul Gandhi. Rahul had won both the Wayanad and Raebareli seats in the last general election but chose to retain Raebareli, leaving Wayanad open for this by-election.
BJP's Candidate Announcement for By-Elections
Along with Haridas’s nomination for Wayanad, the BJP has announced candidates for 25 seats across various states, including 24 Assembly seats and one more Lok Sabha seat. Key states such as Bihar, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh are set to witness by-elections, with polling scheduled for November 13. In addition, former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s son, Kartikeya, was seeking the BJP ticket for the Budhni Assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh, but the party has instead fielded Ramakant Bhargava.
Priyanka Gandhi's Roadshow and Campaign
Ahead of her nomination, Priyanka Gandhi is expected to lead a massive roadshow in Wayanad, with her brother Rahul Gandhi by her side. The roadshow will mark the beginning of her campaign as she attempts to secure the Wayanad seat for the Congress. The political dynamics in Wayanad will be closely watched, especially as the by-election serves as a high-stakes contest for both the Congress and BJP.
Key Dates
The by-elections are set for November 13, 2024, with voters across 14 states deciding the fate of candidates in 48 Assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats. Voting in Uttarakhand and Maharashtra will take place a week later, on November 20.
As the campaign heats up, all eyes will be on the Wayanad battle, where Navya Haridas aims to challenge Priyanka Gandhi in a seat that has become a stronghold for the Congress in recent years. With national political implications, this contest is expected to be a focal point of the by-elections.
