Malappuram- Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed her gratitude to the people of Wayanad on Saturday during her first visit to the constituency since winning the Lok Sabha seat. She pledged to be their voice in Parliament and other forums, emphasizing her commitment to their well-being.
She received a massive crowd at all four locations she visited, a regular occurrence since filing her nomination. Her final public appearance of the day, a roadshow in Edavanna where she secured her largest lead, saw her expressing heartfelt thanks to the electorate.
"I have come here for two days just to go around my constituency to say thanks to all of you," she stated, acknowledging the inadequacy of words to convey her appreciation for their love and support. She also expressed gratitude for their trust in choosing her to represent them, highlighting her brother Rahul Gandhi's deep respect for the people of Wayanad.
Vadra emphasized the significance of constitutional values in nation-building, framing the Congress and UDF's struggle as a "fight for the constitution and the soul of India." She stressed that this fight encompasses equality for all citizens, strengthening democratic institutions, and upholding truth and unity against divisiveness.
Vadra assured the people that she would serve as a dedicated representative, working hard to amplify their voices in Parliament and other arenas. She pledged to fulfill her campaign promises and engage actively with constituents to understand and address their needs, specifically mentioning tribal people, farmers, businesses, and students. "Because of the love you have given me, I will never waver on my path forward," she said. "We begin this journey together, it’s a journey filled with love from both sides. I have met lots of people, children, young and old and students. This is just the beginning. I want to meet all of you, come to your homes, find out your problems and find a solution to your problems."
Vadra's visit included addressing meetings in seven Assembly segments across the Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Wayanad districts. Rahul Gandhi, her brother and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accompanied her and also addressed the gatherings.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's victory in the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll was decisive, with a margin of 4,10,931 votes. Her win surpasses her brother's victory margin of 3.60 lakh votes in the April Lok Sabha polls but falls short of his 4.30 lakh margin in the 2019 elections. The bypoll occurred because Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat earlier this year to keep the family's UP pocket borough of Rae Bareli. Her debut as an elected representative is considered a significant step towards strengthening the Congress party's presence in Kerala and potentially reviving its fortunes nationally.
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