Wayanad Byelection 2024: All eyes on result - Can Priyanka make an impact in electoral debut?

Following a notably low voter turnout in the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll on November 13, Congress leaders are anxious about the potential impact on their targeted victory margin of over 5 lakh votes for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Congress candidate making her electoral debut from this UDF stronghold. The seat, previously held by her brother and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was vacated five months ago when he decided to retain his other constituency Rae Bareli. With over five lakh voters reportedly staying away from the polls, concerns mounted within the Congress camp over a possible decline in Priyanka’s anticipated majority as the result will be out on Saturday.

The Congress is particularly concerned about the low voter turnout in areas like Nilambur, Wandoor and Sulthan Bathery, traditionally considered UDF bastions. The party had anticipated strong voter enthusiasm in these regions for their high-profile candidate.

The Wayanad Lok Sabha Constituency encompasses Assembly segments of Mananthavady, Sultan Bathery and Kalpetta in Wayanad district, along with Thiruvambady in Kozhikode district and Eranad, Nilambur and Wandoor in Malappuram district. 

Priyanka’s entry had spurred excitement in the constituency, drawing in candidates from various districts. Out of 16 candidates, only one was a permanent resident of Wayanad—R Rajan, a Dalit Congress leader from Kalpetta. 

The nationally spotlighted election highlighted Wayanad's priorities and development needs.

Historically a UDF stronghold since its formation in 2009, the Wayanad constituency first saw Congress leader M I Shanavas win by a significant margin of 1,54,000 votes. In 2019, Rahul Gandhi contested from Wayanad as a secondary seat after facing a challenging election in Amethi, winning by a historic majority of 4,31,770 votes and drawing national attention. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the UDF continued to hold a notable advantage, with the 2021 Assembly elections reflecting UDF strength in most areas, despite three constituencies—Mananthavady, Thiruvambady and Nilambur—leaning towards the LDF.

Priyanka’s campaign was focused, addressing local issues and aiming to assure UDF supporters, while noting criticisms that Rahul Gandhi, despite visiting, did not engage sufficiently in constituency matters. Emphasising the message, “You are my family,” Priyanka engaged voters on the ground, addressing regional development needs and social issues, particularly in the rural areas. The UDF campaign was bolstered by high-profile support, with national leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, D K Shivakumar, Vinesh Phogat, Sachin Pilot and several Congress chief ministers participating.

 

Meanwhile, LDF candidate Sathyan Mokeri (CPI), who narrowly lost in 2014 by 20,870 votes, also brought significant local appeal, having actively advocated for farmers during periods of distress in Wayanad and previously serving on the Agricultural Debt Relief Commission. Mokeri’s campaign was focused on securing the base LDF vote, highlighting the lack of development under Rahul Gandhi and targeting issues that have recently brought attention to the constituency. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was the primary figure leading the LDF campaign, with less emphasis on public events and rallies, instead concentrating on solidifying local support.

The NDA, on the other hand, was aiming to expand its influence among the Christian community by appealing to religious leaders and prominent local Christian families. NDA candidate Navya Haridas (BJP) had conducted outreach targeting traditional BJP voters as well as Christian voters. Key BJP leaders, including Kerala BJP in-charge Prakash Javadekar, had met with local Christian leaders, bishops and clergy members, strengthening NDA's support in these demographics.

Human-wildlife conflict was a pressing topic in the Wayanad constituency, with recent incidents of elephant attacks claiming lives. Priyanka’s visit to the family of a victim has brought national attention to the issue, adding to discussions on regional demands, such as alternative routes for night travel, a medical college and essential infrastructure. 

The ongoing controversies around ration kit distribution and the distribution of subpar rice had sparked debate amid the polling. These allegations have resonated in the lead-up to next year’s local elections, with the LDF and UDF exchanging accusations over the kits, involving both local leaders and the state government in heated exchanges.

Wayanad Lok Sabha Election 2024 

2024 Voting Percentage

The 2024 elections saw a voter turnout of around 65%, which marked a decline from the 74% turnout in April’s election when Rahul Gandhi contested from the same seat. This turnout was significantly lower than the 2019 elections, when Rahul Gandhi first contested from Wayanad and secured a much higher participation rate of over 80%. The decline in voter engagement sparked discussions about the evolving voter sentiment in the region and the level of public interest in the upcoming polls