Priyanka Gandhi's Wayanad Challenge: Navigating Voter Decline in By-election

The voter turnout in Wayanad's Lok Sabha by-election was 65%, a decline from April's 74% during Rahul Gandhi's candidacy. Congress remains optimistic about Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's victory margin. AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal emphasized this and announced plans to investigate the turnout drop. 16 candidates are contesting.

The Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election witnessed a decline in voter turnout to 65%, a drop from the 74% recorded in April when Rahul Gandhi was the candidate. Despite this, Congress expects Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to win by a comfortable margin, according to AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal.

Priyanka Gandhi made her electoral debut in the Wayanad constituency, which is divided into seven assembly segments. A meeting is planned at the panchayat level to study the causes of the decreased voter interest and its potential impact.

The seat had 16 candidates running, with major competitors being the CPI(M)-led LDF's Sathyan Mokeri and the BJP-led NDA's Navya Haridas. Both opposition parties disputed Congress's claims, attributing the low turnout to a lack of interest in Congress-strong areas.

(With inputs from agencies.)