Took entry into politics 25 years ago, but never contested elections, why has Congress made Priyanka Gandhi its candidate from Wayanad?

New Delhi: The Election Commission has announced the dates of by-elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand as well. Meanwhile, Congress has formally announced the candidature of Priyanka Gandhi from Wayanad seat of Kerala. Priyanka Gandhi will be in the electoral fray for the first time. Rahul Gandhi had won the election on this seat. Congress had announced Priyanka Gandhi to contest from Voivodeship in June itself, when her brother Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat to retain the family seat Rae Bareli in UP. Even though Priyanka Gandhi never contested elections, she has been active in politics for a long time.

When did you enter politics?

Priyanka Gandhi entered politics in 1999, when she started campaigning for her mother Sonia Gandhi. During this, for the first time, he/she campaigned against BJP candidate Arun Nehru from the political platform. But in these 25 years, this has never happened when Priyanka Gandhi has contested elections. However, his/her contesting elections was discussed many times. Congress supporters were pinning their hopes on Priyanka Gandhi to carry forward the legacy of her grandmother and mother in UP.

Held many Congress posts

Priyanka Gandhi is known for her wisdom. In 2017, Priyanka Gandhi played a big role in the alliance and seat sharing of Congress and Samajwadi Party in the UP Assembly. Congress was demanding 110 seats in the UP elections, while Akhilesh Yadav’s party had offered 100 seats. By January 2019, Priyanka was made the general secretary of the Congress in eastern UP, where the Congress’ strongholds are Amethi and Rae Bareli. As of September 2020, she was appointed general secretary in-charge of entire Uttar Pradesh, after Jyotiraditya Scindia left the party. Although in the organizational reshuffle in December 2023, she remained the general secretary, but she was stripped of the charge of Uttar Pradesh.

Why did you decide to contest elections from Wayanad?

Priyanka Gandhi has agreed to contest elections from Wayanad. But this is not just this story. Actually, Congress wants to increase its penetration in South India, especially Kerala. The party is in power in Karnataka and Telangana and holds power in Tamil Nadu along with its ally DMK. Unlike North India, where BJP has a strong hold, Congress is trying to win in the South.

For the first time, three members of the Gandhi family may be in Parliament.

If Priyanka Gandhi wins from Wayanad, which is considered a safe seat for the Congress, it will be the first time that three members of the Nehru-Gandhi family will be in Parliament together. For the first time, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi will be in the Lok Sabha and Sonia Gandhi in the Rajya Sabha.