Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's Big Day: Wayanad Votes in High-Stakes Bypoll for Congress Legacy

Polling has begun in Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency for a decisive by-election that marks Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's electoral debut. The polling has started at 7 a.m. Voting would go on till 6 p.m. today with a total of 16 candidates vying for the public mandate in the bypoll of Wayanad Lok Sabha seat as Priyanka, Sathyan Mokeri of Left Democratic Front (LDF), and Navya Haridas of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are in the fray. Seat going to the poll after Rahul Gandhi stepped down from Wayanad after he decided not to relinquish the Raebareli constituency in UP.

Webcasting facilities have been provided to monitor the counting proceedings in real-time. Wayanad is one of the most historic bastions for Congress. Rahul Gandhi won both 2019 and 2024 elections from the constituency with more than 4 lakh votes margin. The UDF hopes to bank on Priyanka's popularity as well as the constituency's leaning voters base. These include its minorities, settler farmers, as well as tribal communities.

The interest in this election created by the campaign of Priyanka Gandhi is bound to be considerable, especially among women. Her rallies are already attracting lakhs of women - a heartening portent for her prospects in the election for the Congress leaders. The UDF will look forward to a higher vote percentage than the 73.5% in 2024, at least to equal the 80.3% in 2019.

Left is keen to energize its base in the person of Sathyan Mokeri of LDF, who had narrowed the margin for Congress in Wayanad last time. NDA candidate Navya Haridas has targeted Christian voters with campaign relevant to regions, in addition to the waqf dispute.

The bypoll concluded in a "Kottikalasham" or festive closing ceremony. Then came a day of silent campaigning. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made low-key appearances, visiting a farm and then the Banasura Sagar dam on the eve of voting, while her opponents held last gasps of voter engagement.

Given the major standing tradition of supporting Congress and an enormous campaign effort, the UDF will be looking for a comfortable victory for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The outcome will decide if Priyanka Gandhi's inaugural campaign can save the Congress legacy in Wayanad and eventually help her long-term political role in the area.

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