Sat Nov 23 07:44:00 UTC 2024: ## Priyanka Gandhi Wins Wayanad By-Election in Landslide Victory

**New Delhi, India** – Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has secured a resounding victory in the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election, surpassing her brother Rahul Gandhi’s previous margin. The bypoll, necessitated by Rahul Gandhi’s decision to retain his Rae Bareli seat after winning both, saw a significant win for the Congress party.

With over 5.57 lakh votes, Gandhi secured a margin of over 3.68 lakh votes, exceeding her brother’s 2019 record of 3.65 lakh votes. Her closest rival, Sathyan Mokeri of the Communist Party of India, received over 1.89 lakh votes, while BJP’s Navya Haridas trailed with nearly 1.02 lakh votes. This victory comes despite a lower than expected voter turnout of approximately 65%, down from 74% in the April Lok Sabha elections and considerably lower than the 80%+ turnout in 2019.

Simultaneously, counting is underway for by-elections across 48 assembly seats spread across 14 states (Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal) and two other Lok Sabha seats (Wayanad and Nanded).

The results from West Bengal’s six assembly seats are being closely watched, particularly given the ongoing protests related to the RG Kar rape and murder case. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) aims to continue its winning streak, having won nearly all assembly by-polls since 2021, with the exception of Sagardighi in February 2023. The outcome of these elections will provide valuable insights into the current political landscape.

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