Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a prominent member of India's Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, has officially entered the electoral arena, filing her nomination for the upcoming parliamentary election. In a vibrant display of support, thousands of Congress party enthusiasts attended a roadshow in Wayanad, Kerala, on Wednesday as she submitted her papers to contest the seat on November 13.
The Wayanad constituency has strong ties to the Gandhi family. It was previously represented by Priyanka’s brother, Rahul Gandhi, who had to vacate the seat after winning another constituency in northern India during the national election earlier this year. Indian election laws require candidates to retain only one seat, leading to Rahul's departure from Wayanad. Accompanying Priyanka at the nomination event were her brother, Rahul, the leader of the opposition in the lower house, and their mother, Sonia Gandhi, a member of the upper house of parliament.
Addressing a large crowd of supporters, Priyanka expressed her gratitude, stating, "You stood with my brother when the whole world was turning its back against him. It is my honour to represent you if you give me a chance." The counting of votes for the Wayanad seat is scheduled for November 23.
This marks Priyanka’s first foray into electoral politics, despite being active in the Congress party since 2019 as a general secretary. Her decision to contest the seat comes after years of supporting her family's campaigns without directly running for office. In June, Priyanka pledged to the people of Wayanad that they would not "feel the absence of Rahul Gandhi," following the tragic landslides in the region that claimed over 200 lives due to heavy monsoon rains.
Rahul Gandhi expressed confidence in his sister’s candidacy, stating on social media, "The people of Wayanad hold a special place in my heart, and I can't imagine a better representative for them than my sister, Priyanka Gandhi."
The Congress party, which has seen a resurgence under the leadership of the Gandhi siblings, surprised many by nearly doubling its seat count to 100 in the 545-member lower house during the recent national elections. This recovery came after years of declining performance since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014. The BJP, in an unexpected outcome, failed to secure a majority in this year's election, relying on regional allies to form a coalition for a third consecutive term.
The Gandhi family's influence in Indian politics is a longstanding point of contention. Critics, including Prime Minister Modi and the BJP, accuse the Congress party of dynastic politics due to its reliance on the Nehru-Gandhi lineage. However, Congress maintains that its legacy is rooted in a commitment to the nation, pointing to its leadership during 54 of India’s 77 years of independence. The legacy includes Priyanka’s father, grandmother, and great-grandfather, who together served as prime ministers for 37 of those years.
As Priyanka Gandhi Vadra steps into the electoral spotlight, the Congress party hopes to build on its recent gains and further solidify its influence, particularly in the southern state of Kerala.