Kerala Congress Hails Priyanka as Indira 2.0, But Political Observers Believe BJP & LDF Not to Go Soft on Her

New Delhi/Wayanad- Rahul Gandhi, who recently emerged victorious on Lok Sabha seats of Wayanad and Rae Bareli, has chosen to stick with the family stronghold in the north.

This decision prompted the Congress to introduce Priyanka Gandhi to electoral politics via a byelection in Wayanad. Rahul Gandhi's earlier statement that he could not abandon the people who supported him during crises underscores his emotional and political ties with the region.

The Congress members in Wayanad have expressed their enthusiasm for Priyanka Gandhi's candidature. Welcoming banners are already in place, reflecting the excitement. The local Congress leaders have lauded her arrival, with slogans proclaiming, "It's not Priyanka but Indira 2.0 coming."

Senior Congress leader VD Satheesan rejected the mocking of political opponents against Priyanka's arrival in Wayanad and said not just Wayanad but the entire state of Kerala would embrace her to their hearts. He said, the Congress and the party led UDF are unitedly welcoming her as she had been a frontline campaigner fighting against the fascist and communal forces in the country.

However, the move has not been without its detractors. The BJP has launched attacks, criticizing the dynastic politics of the Congress.

CPI (M) leader Annie Raja who previously contested the seat against Rahul Gandhi said, she is happy that the UDF has fielded a woman candidate in Wayanad as there is a need for increased representation of women in Parliament. However, she also added that whether she will contest in the bypolls would be decided by her party.

Analysts believe that Priyanka Gandhi's entry into Wayanad will not be easy, as she faces challenges from both the BJP and the CPI, a member of the INDIA bloc alliance, who may not go soft on her.

Political observers also state that Priyanka will face constant attacks from the opposition, who have so far targeted her brother, Rahul Gandhi. She will also need to address questions regarding her husband, Robert Vadra.

Additionally, questions are being raised about why the Congress chose an easier seat for Priyanka in Wayanad instead of placing her in Rae Bareli or Amethi, which have been their traditional bastions.

Former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam has also weighed in, stirring controversy by framing the Congress's decision as a lack of trust in Hindus.

He stated, "Priyanka Gandhi is the most popular face in the Congress. An attempt has been made to reduce her stature by fielding her in a byelection. By making Priyanka Gandhi contest from Wayanad, the Congress has once again proved that it does not trust Hindus."

The BJP has also echoed similar sentiments, previously mocking Rahul Gandhi as a "runaway bride."

For Congress Kerala is nothing but a political ATM, Says BJP State President and Wayanad candidate

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to launch a scathing critique of the Congress party's decision to field Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Wayanad.

In one post, Malviya called Rahul Gandhi a coward, stating: "All these years we were told Priyanka Vadra manages Amethi and Rae Bareli. So, when the time came, why has she been packed off to Wayanad? Why not field her from Rae Bareli, just like K L Sharma was from Amethi. Take on the BJP and prove your resurgence in UP, instead of running away like a coward."

Malviya alleged that the Congress had informed its ally, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), about the decision but had failed to consult the Left parties, which are also part of the opposition alliance INDIA bloc.

In his post, Malviya stated: "It now appears that the Congress informed the Indian Union Muslim League of their decision to field Priyanka Vadra from Wayanad but ally Left wasn’t taken on board. It is clear that Congress hopes to win on Muslim votes alone and hence the communication with IUML. Others don’t matter…"

This accusation implies that the Congress is banking on the support of Muslim voters in Wayanad, sidelining other allies in the process.

The decision to field Priyanka Gandhi from Wayanad has opened up a complex political battlefield. While the Congress hopes to strengthen its foothold in Kerala, the BJP and other opposition parties are set to challenge this move on various fronts.

BJP Kerala State President K Surendran launched a scathing attack on the Congress following the announcement of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's candidature for the Wayanad by-election. In a post on his X account, Surendran remarked: "Rahul Gandhi claimed that Wayanad is his family. Now he has decided the candidature of his own sister Priyanka Gandhi for the upcoming by-election in Wayanad. Hope that Rahul will field his brother-in-law Robert Vadra in the Palakkad by-election. Now the people clearly understand 'Rahul's family sentiments'. It's once again proven beyond doubt that the Congress is the only tool for the so-called Nehru-Gandhi family to serve their family's interest. Pathetic."

He also stated, " The BJP's prediction came true: the perpetually missing MP has finally decided to vacate the Wayanad seat, betraying the trust of its people. Rahul and Congress only turn to Kerala when in dire straits for political gain, falsely claiming Wayanad as his second home. The honest and lovable people of Kerala deserve better than to be exploited and abandoned. For Congress Kerala is nothing but a political ATM #RahulBetrayedKerala

Internal Tensions in Wayanad: CPI Criticizes Congress

The decision to field Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Wayanad has led to internal tensions within the opposition alliance, with CPI leaders voicing strong disapproval. CPI leaders claim , those people who should have sat together in Delhi are at battle with each other in Wayanad. Congress should not have fielded Rahul in Wayanad in the first place, and now they are definitely on the wrong side with Priyanka replacing her brother. Congress should not have taken up this play with the people of Wayanad."

CPI Secretary Binoy Viswam has expressed strong disapproval over the Congress's decision to field Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Wayanad. "When Rahul contested from Wayanad, the INDIA alliance already existed, but only the Congress failed to understand that. Wayanad was not the appropriate constituency for Rahul to contest," Binoy remarked. He emphasized that Rahul Gandhi's resignation within two weeks of the election results was a disservice to the people.

"Rahul should not have engaged in this political maneuver. As a result, the upcoming bypoll will not be amicable but will instead see a strong fight from us," he stated. The leader also said that contesting opposite Priyanka was also necessary so as not to let BJP strengthen in the state.