Wayanad Bypoll: Amid Lowest-Ever Voter Turnout Report, Congress Confident Of Priyanka Gandhi's Victory

The Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, where a by-election was held on Wednesday, recorded its lowest voter turnout since its creation in 2009, at 64.72 per cent, according to The Indian Express.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stood for election in Wayanad for the first time, following the by-election triggered by Rahul Gandhi's decision to vacate the seat to retain Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the Chelakkara assembly seat in Thrissur also held by-elections, showing a higher turnout of 72.54 per cent compared to Wayanad.

Priyanka Gandhi is contesting against veteran CPI candidate Sathyan Mokeri and the BJP's Navya Haridas. The turnout drop followed a Congress campaign that aimed for a "majority of 5 lakh votes" for Priyanka Gandhi.

The Congress-led UDF brushed aside concerns about the turnout affecting Priyanka Gandhi's expected margin, as reported by PTI.

Leader of opposition VD Satheesan attributed the lower turnout to voter disinterest in CPI(M)-dominated areas.

AICC general secretaries KC Venugopal and Deepa Dasmuni supported Priyanka Gandhi's campaign through corner meetings in Wayanad, while local MLAs were mobilised, according to The Indian Express.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee officials aided with campaigning at the panchayat level. Senior Congress figures, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, and Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, also joined Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's campaign.

This election followed a recent landslide in Wayanad that claimed 231 lives and left 47 missing. Special polling booths were set up in Meppadi for survivors from affected villages, including Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Attamala.