Wayanad, Oct 20 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
Navya Haridas, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) candidate for the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll, has emerged as a key challenger to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of the Congress. As the two prepare for a high-stakes electoral battle, Haridas represents the BJP’s attempt to gain ground in the politically significant Wayanad constituency.
Navya Haridas: BJP’s Rising Star in Wayanad
Navya Haridas is a two-time Kozhikode Corporation Councillor and a leader in the BJP’s Mahila Morcha. A software engineer by profession, she brings both experience and fresh energy to her candidacy. Though Haridas contested in the 2021 Kozhikode South Assembly elections, she finished third, securing 20.89% of the vote. Despite this, she has continued to rise through the BJP ranks and is now seen as a strong competitor in Wayanad.
Haridas vs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra: A High-Stakes Contest
In the Wayanad by-election, Navya Haridas will be pitted against Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is making her electoral debut. Priyanka’s entry into the race comes after Rahul Gandhi vacated the Wayanad seat following his victory in both Wayanad and Rae Bareli constituencies in the previous general election.
For Priyanka Gandhi, this election is an opportunity to test her political strength and maintain the Congress’s hold over the constituency, which has traditionally been a stronghold for the party. However, Navya Haridas, with her local experience and BJP’s backing, poses a formidable challenge.
Navya Haridas’s Background and Experience
Navya Haridas is not new to politics. Before being selected as the BJP candidate for Wayanad, she served two terms as a Kozhikode Corporation Councillor. Though she lost her 2021 assembly race, she is known for her persistence and commitment to public service. Her candidacy also represents the BJP’s focus on fielding younger, dynamic women leaders who can connect with the voters.
Her professional background as a software engineer also gives her an edge in appealing to urban and tech-savvy voters, making her a unique contender in a race typically dominated by traditional political figures.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s Challenge in Wayanad
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on the other hand, is making her first foray into electoral politics with the Congress. She will be hoping to retain the strong support that her brother Rahul Gandhi enjoyed in the constituency, where he won with a vote share of 59.69% in the last election. However, with her candidacy comes the challenge of maintaining that support and countering both anti-incumbency sentiments and the rise of the BJP and LDF in the region.
What’s at Stake in the Wayanad Bypoll?
The Wayanad bypoll is significant for all parties. For the Congress, it’s about keeping control of one of its remaining strongholds in the south, especially with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the race. For the BJP, it represents a crucial opportunity to expand its footprint in Kerala, where the party has struggled to secure major victories.
Navya Haridas’s candidacy, therefore, is seen as a strategic move by the BJP to present a formidable challenge to the Congress’s traditional dominance in Wayanad.
Key Dates for the Wayanad Bypoll
Election Date: November 13, 2024
Vote Counting: November 23, 2024
As the election approaches, all eyes will be on the contest between Navya Haridas and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, with voters in Wayanad determining who will represent them in the Lok Sabha.
FAQs
Who is Navya Haridas?
Navya Haridas is the BJP candidate for the Wayanad bypoll, a two-time Kozhikode Corporation Councillor, and a software engineer by profession.
Who is she contesting against in the Wayanad by-election?
Navya Haridas is running against Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of the Congress and Sathyan Mokeri from the LDF.
Why is the Wayanad bypoll significant?
The by-election is a critical test for the Congress to retain its influence in Wayanad while the BJP seeks to make inroads with Navya Haridas as their candidate.
What is Navya Haridas’s political experience?
Haridas has served two terms as a Kozhikode Corporation Councillor and contested the 2021 Kozhikode South Assembly election.
When will the Wayanad bypoll results be announced?
The votes will be counted on November 23, 2024, with the results declared soon after.
 candidate for the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll, has emerged as a key challenger to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of the Congress. As the two prepare for a high-stakes electoral battle, Haridas represents the BJP’s attempt to gain ground in the politically significant Wayanad constituency.){kind=link}