A total of 16 candidates, including Congress’s Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, CPI’s Sathyan Mokeri, and BJP’s Navya Haridas, are competing for the votes of over 14 lakh constituents in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. The by-election, scheduled for Wednesday, has generated substantial interest, especially with Priyanka Gandhi making her electoral debut.

The seat, previously held by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, became vacant after he won a second seat in Rae Bareli. Rahul had previously clinched Wayanad with a margin of over 3.5 lakh votes, solidifying the constituency as a United Democratic Front (UDF) stronghold. To retain this seat, the Congress has fielded Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who aims to carry on her brother’s legacy in the region. Both the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are also keen on capturing this seat, which holds symbolic importance in Kerala.