Litmus test awaits Priyanka Gandhi as voting for Wayanad bypoll to begin at 7 am

Wayanad is set for a fierce three-way electoral contest, with Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra making her debut, aiming to retain the party’s stronghold and increase the victory margin her brother, Rahul Gandhi, secured in the past two Lok Sabha elections.
The by-election in Wayanad, which has over 14 lakh voters, was necessitated after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat and chose to represent Raebareli in the Lok Sabha.
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), polling will begin at 7 am in over 1,000 booths across the constituency, with special security measures implemented at locations with a history of Maoist activity or identified as trouble-prone.
The district administrations have deployed several companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Armed Police Battalion to maintain security during elections across seven assembly segments — Mananthavady (ST), Sulthan Bathery (ST), and Kalpetta in Wayanad district; Thiruvambady in Kozhikode district; and Eranad, Nilambur, and Wandoor in Malappuram district.
The preparations also include setting up 24-hour control rooms and round-the-clock police patrolling ahead of the polling.
Meanwhile, the Malappuram district administration has reported substantial seizures since the implementation of the model code of conduct. Authorities have confiscated 13.17 kilograms of ganja, 76.25 grams of MDMA, 30 liters of Indian-made foreign liquor, cash totaling Rs 50.98 lakh and 719.8 grams of gold within the district.
Priyanka Gandhi faces a notable challenge in Wayanad, competing against Left Democratic Front candidate Sathyan Mokeri, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee Navya Haridas, and 13 others.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi’s victory margin in Wayanad was over 3.5 lakh votes, while in 2019, it was over 4.3 lakh votes.
In 2014, Mokeri contested the Wayanad seat, narrowing the UDF candidate’s victory margin to just 20,000 votes. Recently, both the LDF and NDA campaigns have criticised Rahul Gandhi, alleging he neglected the constituency after his 2019 win, and suggesting that Priyanka Gandhi may adopt a similar approach if she wins.
Throughout her nearly month-long campaign, Priyanka has frequently referenced her brother’s tenure as the MP for Wayanad and his popularity within the constituency. She has emphasised the “love and affection” Rahul Gandhi holds for the people of Wayanad and their support during difficult times as key points to bolster her own prospects.
Responding to the attacks made by LDF and NDA leaders, Priyanka Gandhi pointed out that she has been active in politics for 35 years, since 1989, when she campaigned for her father, late Rajiv Gandhi.
She also said that she would keep coming to Wayanad if she wins from here, till the people tell her not to come there so frequently.
Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has also attended his sister at public meetings and roadshows in Wayanad on many occasions, urging the people of the hill constituency to show her the same support they gave him.