BJP candidate Navya Haridas files nomination in Wayanad LS | WATCH

Wayanad: Navya Haridas, the BJP candidate for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, submitted her nomination papers on Thursday. She was joined by former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan and other leaders during the nomination process.

Speaking earlier in the day, Haridas emphasised the need for change in local politics, expressing confidence that the people of Wayanad would support the BJP this time. "We started the election work a couple of days back. People require a change in politics. So I think this time they are going to favour the BJP," said Navya. She criticised previous MPs from the area for not addressing the real issues affecting constituents.

"I know Wayanad very well and as a state general secretary of Mahila Morcha, I have visited Wayanad many times. I have been involved with the problems of Wayanad many times. I worked with the people of Wayanad. None of the issues of Wayanad were raised in the parliament. They have never cared about the real needs of Wayanad. 10 percent of the Wayanad consists of tribal population. Their upliftment has never been the consideration of the MPs," she said.

On the other hand, Satyan Mokeri, the candidate from LDF, criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for vacating the Wayanad seat after winning it in the 2024 general elections. Mokeri argued that this decision forced bye-elections on the local population. He claimed that the Congress party's talk of a significant majority for its candidate, Priyanka Gandhi, reflects their fear leading up to the elections.

"The Congress is saying they will win by 5-6 lakh majority. this is coming out of fear. The bye-elections were imposed by them. Congress is not speaking politics here," Mokeri told reporters after filing his nomination papers.

"Are they ready for political debate? Rahul Gandhi contested like he was the PM candidate. Right after he won, he gave up this seat and declared another candidate soon," he added.

Priyanka Gandhi, who is making her electoral debut, filed her nomination on Wednesday with support from key Congress leaders. Prior to her nomination, she held a large roadshow, attended by her brother Rahul Gandhi and other prominent leaders of UDF.

Rahul Gandhi had previously vacated the Wayanad seat after being elected from Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh during the general elections earlier this year. The Congress party officially approved Priyanka Gandhi's candidacy on October 15, following the announcement of the bye-election schedule by the Election Commission of India.

Voting for the Wayanad seat will take place on November 13, coinciding with bye-elections in 47 assembly seats across 15 states. The first phase of assembly elections in Jharkhand will also be held on the same day.

Agency