Thiruvananthapuram, November 23 (UITV)- Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contested for the first time from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala and has taken a big lead. According to the Election Commission data, Priyanka Gandhi is leading by more than one lakh votes. She has been maintaining a consistent lead since the counting of votes began. In second place is senior CPI leader Satyan Mokheri, who has got about 50 thousand votes. BJP candidate Navya Haridas is in third place, who has got about 28 thousand votes.
In the Palakkad assembly by-election, BJP candidate C. Krishnakumar had initially taken the lead, but Congress’s Rahul Mamkuthatil has now moved ahead. In third place is CPI(M)-supported independent candidate Dr. P. Sarin, who contested the election after leaving the Congress.
In the Chelakkara assembly seat, CPI(M) candidate U.R. Pradeep took a lead of 4,498 votes in the initial round. However, Congress’ Ramya Haridas is also giving a strong fight. Congress election managers believe that Ramya will eventually win by a margin of about 1,600 votes. The seat has been held by the CPI(M) since 1996, so the contest here is extremely tough.
Priyanka Gandhi’s victory in the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election is almost certain. The only question is whether she will be able to cross the margin of votes won by her brother Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi had earlier won this seat by a margin of more than 4 lakh votes. Priyanka Gandhi was primarily pitted against CPI’s Satyan Mokheri in Wayanad, but her lead is so big that victory seems certain.
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All three by-elections were held due to vacancies. Rahul Gandhi left the Wayanad seat to retain the Rae Bareli seat. Congress’ Shafi Parambil from Palakkad and Minister of State for SC/ST K. Radhakrishnan from Chelakkara left their seats. Voting took place in Wayanad and Chelakkara on November 13, while voting in Palakkad took place on Wednesday.
There was a triangular contest in Palakkad, while Priyanka Gandhi’s victory in Wayanad was already considered certain. The situation in Chelakkara remains exciting, as a tough fight has been seen between the Congress and the CPI (M). These by-elections have given the Congress an opportunity to strengthen its hold in Kerala, especially Priyanka Gandhi’s big win from Wayanad can prove to be a new beginning for the Congress.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s lead and possible victory has boosted the enthusiasm of the Congress. This election is important not only for the Congress but also for the opposition parties, as it can give a new turn to the political equations before the 2024 general elections.
