Wayanad By-Election Sees Lower Turnout Amid Priyanka Gandhi’s Debut Contest

In the Wayanad by-election, which marked Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi’s debut as a candidate, voter turnout was recorded at 64.72%. This was the lowest turnout since the constituency was formed in 2009. The by-election became necessary after Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat to retain his Rae Bareli constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

Of the 1.47 million eligible voters, only 952,543 cast their ballots, including 497,788 women. The turnout showed a steady increase throughout the day, with 13.91% of voters casting their votes by 10 am, rising to 35.70% by 1 pm, and reaching 62.37% by 5 pm. Despite the relatively low turnout, the District Collector, DR Meghashree, confirmed that the election was peaceful, with no major incidents reported.

Priyanka Gandhi faces stiff competition from CPI’s Sathyan Mokeri and BJP’s Navya Haridas. The by-election marks a crucial test for her political career, as Congress had hoped for a significant win with a margin of at least 500,000 votes. However, the dip in voter participation has raised concerns about whether the party’s expectations will be met.

To support Priyanka’s campaign, senior Congress leaders, including AICC General Secretaries KC Venugopal and Deepa Dasmunsi, camped in the constituency, attending her rallies and meetings. Congress MLAs were assigned to oversee Assembly segments, while local KPCC office bearers managed grassroots-level campaigns. Priyanka herself took a hands-on approach, visiting every panchayat in the constituency to strengthen her base and connect with voters directly.

This election is especially significant, as Priyanka Gandhi’s performance could set the tone for her future political role within the Congress party. Despite the initial setback in voter turnout, Congress continues to rally behind her, hoping to secure a strong result in the upcoming stages of the electoral process.

The Wayanad by-election also coincides with a bypoll in Kerala’s Chelakkara Assembly constituency, which saw a higher turnout of 72.54%. This difference further highlights the unique political climate surrounding the Wayanad seat.

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