Wayanad/Thrissur: Public campaigning for the upcoming bypolls in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency and Chelakkara Assembly has concluded, with each political front attracting large, enthusiastic crowds for a grand finale.
The roadshows amplified the momentum for all alliances. In Chelakkara, the rallies were marked by vibrant celebrations from all fronts. LDF, UDF, and NDA candidates held their final campaign rallies at the Chelakkara bus stand. In Wayanad, the UDF concluded its campaign at Thiruvambadi, the LDF in Kalpetta, and the NDA in Bathery.
Polling for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat and Chelakkara Assembly constituency is scheduled for November 13. Wayanad has always sided with Congress, while the CPM-led LDF has long dominated Chelakkara.
Congress General Secretary and UDF candidate Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who led the final phase of the UDF's campaign in Wayanad, was in the constituency on the last day of campaigning alongside her brother and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. "As a challenge, I will help her (Priyanka) to make Wayanad the best tourism destination in the world," Rahul had said while addressing a gathering and participating in a roadshow from Assumption Junction to Chungam Junction in Sultan Bathery.
Priyanka Gandhi concluded her address in Bathery, telling the crowd in Malayalam that she would return again, while LDF candidate Sathyan Mokeri emphasised that the people of the constituency wanted a representative capable of driving development. Meanwhile, NDA candidate Navya Haridas, a former techie and Corporation councillor, pledged to make history in Wayanad.
In Chelakkara, former MLA U R Pradeep is the CPM candidate, while Congress’s former MP Ramya Haridas and BJP’s K Balakrishnan are also in the fray.
Rahul Gandhi vacated the Wayanad seat despite securing the second consecutive victory in the constituency as he chose to retain his Rae Bareli seat in Uttar Pradesh. Priyanka Gandhi, contesting her first election, was nominated by the Congress to contest in Wayanad.
Chelakkara’s by-election was triggered by former minister K Radhakrishnan’s move to the Lok Sabha from Alathur, while in Palakkad, Shafi Parambil’s election to the Lok Sabha from Vadakara had created a vacancy. The Election Commission had rescheduled polling in Palakkad to November 20 due to the Kalpathy Ratholsavam.
