Wayanad Lok Sabha Byelection: Priyanka Gandhi takes center stage, voter turnout dips to 65 pc

Wayanad Lok Sabha Constituency, encompassing the 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, has become a focal point of political attention. 

AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi's entry as the UDF candidate has spurred excitement, as she prepares for her debut contest in the constituency, drawing in candidates from various states. Out of 16 candidates, only one is a permanent resident of Wayanad—R Rajan, a Dalit Congress leader from Kalpetta. 

The constituency eagerly anticipates that this nationally spotlighted election will highlight 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 Gandhi's campaign is focused and measured, 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 is engaging voters on the ground, addressing regional development needs and social issues, particularly in the rural areas. The UDF campaign is 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.

LDF candidate Satyan Mokeri (CPI), who narrowly lost in 2014 by 20,870 votes, brings 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 is 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 is the primary figure leading the LDF campaign, with less emphasis on public events and rallies, instead concentrating on solidifying local support.

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

Human-wildlife conflict is a pressing topic in the Wayanad constituency, with recent incidents of elephant attacks claiming lives. Priyanka Gandhi’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 have sparked debate. 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 approximately 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 has sparked discussions about the evolving voter sentiment in the region and the level of public interest in the upcoming polls.