Sat Nov 23 18:48:08 UTC 2024: ## Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Wins Wayanad By-Election in Landslide Victory

**Wayanad, Kerala –** Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra secured a resounding victory in the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election, defeating CPI(M) candidate Sathyan Mokeri by a margin of over 410,000 votes. The win marks her maiden electoral victory and cements the Congress’s hold on this traditionally strong constituency.

Gandhi secured over 617,942 votes, significantly surpassing the 364,000-vote margin achieved by her brother, Rahul Gandhi, in the 2024 general elections. Mokeri received approximately 209,906 votes, while BJP candidate Navya Haridas finished a distant third with 109,202 votes. Voter turnout was 64.72%, a significant decrease from previous elections.

The by-election, held due to Rahul Gandhi vacating the seat to retain his Rae Bareli constituency, attracted national attention due to Priyanka Gandhi’s electoral debut. Her campaign focused on addressing farmers’ issues and boosting tourism in the hill district.

The BJP’s Haridas criticized the Congress’s family dominance in the constituency, while Mokeri accused the party of neglecting key concerns. Despite these criticisms, Gandhi’s victory was decisive.

The results are seen as a boost for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala. Following her win, Gandhi met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and expressed gratitude to the people of Wayanad, promising to be their voice in Parliament. Her husband, Robert Vadra, also expressed his appreciation for the people’s support. Meanwhile, reactions from other political figures ranged from celebratory messages to criticism of the Congress party’s national standing. The low voter turnout, however, sparked debate about underlying discontent among the electorate.

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