Thiruvananthapuram: The results of the Assembly bypolls for three seats in Kerala unfolded as anticipated for the state’s three main political fronts.
In the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi made a spectacular electoral debut, securing a landslide victory with a margin of 4,10,931 votes.
The Palakkad Assembly seat, initially expected to witness a tight three-way contest, ultimately saw state Youth Congress President Rahul Mamkoothathil emerge victorious with a margin of 18,840 votes.
In Chelakkara, as predicted, the CPI-M retained its stronghold with former legislator U.R. Pradeep winning by 12,201 votes.
While the Congress and CPI-M successfully held their respective seats, the BJP failed to secure a win. However, it maintained its second-place position in Palakkad, albeit with a reduced vote count of nearly 10,000 compared to the 2021 Assembly elections.
Reacting to her overwhelming win, Priyanka Gandhi expressed her gratitude on social media:
“My dearest sisters and brothers of Wayanad, I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me. I promise to ensure that this victory becomes a reflection of your aspirations, and I will stand as your voice in Parliament. Thank you for this honor and the immense love you have shown me."
She also extended her appreciation to her campaign team, family, and brother Rahul Gandhi, calling him "the bravest of them all" and thanking him for his unwavering support.
State Congress President K. Sudhakaran highlighted the results as a rejection of the BJP and a critique of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s governance. "This is a vote against Vijayan. In Palakkad, the Youth Congress secured a decisive win, and the CPI-M’s victory margin in Chelakkara was significantly reduced," he said.
On the other hand, CPI-M's Left Front Convener T.P. Ramakrishnan emphasized the durability of the Left government’s support. "We retained Chelakkara and gained more votes in Palakkad, while the BJP’s vote count dropped significantly. The Congress’ success in Palakkad was due to support from communal forces," he argued, adding that the voting dynamics in Wayanad still required closer scrutiny.
The bypoll results showcased the evolving political dynamics in Kerala while reinforcing the strongholds of the Congress and CPI-M.