On Thursday, BJP candidate Navya Haridas filed her nomination papers for the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election. She was accompanied by prominent leaders, including former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan.
Speaking to reporters, Haridas expressed her belief that the people of Wayanad are ready for a political change and would support the BJP in the upcoming election. “We started our election work a few days ago. People want a change in politics, and I believe they will favour the BJP this time,” she told ANI.
Haridas criticized previous MPs for neglecting Wayanad’s real issues, particularly the needs of its significant tribal population. “None of the issues of Wayanad were raised in Parliament. The upliftment of the 10 percent tribal population has never been a priority for previous MPs,” she said, highlighting her long-standing involvement with the constituency as the state general secretary of Mahila Morcha.
Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate Satyan Mokeri also filed his nomination on Thursday. He criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for vacating the Wayanad seat after winning it in the 2024 general election, forcing the by-election.
Mokeri argued that Congress’s confidence in a 5-6 lakh majority for its candidate Priyanka Gandhi stems from fear. “The by-elections were imposed by them. Congress isn’t speaking politics here,” he said. He also questioned Rahul Gandhi’s decision to vacate the seat, calling it a disservice to the people of Wayanad.
Congress candidate Priyanka Gandhi filed her nomination on Wednesday, marking her electoral debut. She was joined by her brother, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and top United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders during a massive roadshow before the nomination filing.
The Wayanad seat was vacated by Rahul Gandhi, who was also elected to the Lok Sabha from Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, earlier this year. Priyanka Gandhi’s candidature was approved by the Congress on October 15, following the Election Commission’s announcement of the bypoll schedule.
Wayanad will go to the polls on November 13, along with by-elections in 47 assembly seats across 15 states. The first phase of assembly polls in Jharkhand will also take place on the same day.
