New Delhi [India], October 23 : Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday termed the filing of her nomination as a "moment filled with emotion" and vowed to work for the progress of Wayanad.
On Wednesday, she filed her nomination for the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll in Kerala in the presence of top leaders of the party as she embarks on her electoral debut.
"Filing my nomination for the Wayanad by-election today was a moment filled with emotion. The love you've shown to Rahul Ji, and now to me, is something I carry with me every step of the way. Wayanad's strength lies in its people-their kindness, resilience, and belief in a better future," Priyanka Gandhi posted on X.
She further assured that she would listen to people's voices and raise the issues of the Wayanad.
"I will listen to your voices, raise the issues that matter to you, and work tirelessly for the progress of Wayanad. To every supporter, every UDF worker, and every family that stood by us- thank you from the depths of my heart," she added.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders exuded confidence in Priyanka's victory from Wayanad.
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that Priyanka Gandhi fighting the elections from Wayanad will benefit the Congress party.
"Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was the general secretary of AICC and now she is contesting the elections from Wayanad which will benefit the Congress party a lot," CM Sukhu said.
Kerala Congress chief K Sudhakaran said that Priyanka Gandhi will easily win the elections with a big margin
Congress leader VD Satheesan said, "BJP will be in third place...We will get a bigger margin (of votes) than what Rahul ji received in 2019."
Congress MP K Suresh said that the people of Wayanad have been demanding the Congress party to field Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
"He (Pralhad Joshi) has to tell the nation about why his elder brother was arrested in Karnataka. Serious allegations have been levelled against him...As far as Wayanad is concerned, the people of Wayanad have been demanding the Congress party to field Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Wayanad since Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat," K Suresh said.
Congress MP Jebi Mather said that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will win the elections and will be raising the voice of the public inside the parliament.
"In a democracy let people decide and why are they (BJP) panicking about Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting elections from Wayanad? They (BJP) are worried as they are scared and are already facing a lot of questions inside and outside the parliament. Now Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be raising the voice of the public inside the parliament...This is going to be a game-changer in Indian politics...Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will win with a big margin," Mather said.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi also praised Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi and said that she has always been someone who would sacrifice anything for her family and friends, and this quality will make her an exceptional MP for Wayanad.
"Priyanka has always been someone who would sacrifice anything for her family and friends, and this quality will make her an exceptional MP for Wayanad. To her, the people of Wayanad are family. As her brother, I ask you to support and protect her as you have done for me. I will always stand by Wayanad as your unofficial MP," Rahul Gandhi posted on X.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Giriraj Singh slammed the Congress and said that the party don't see anything outside of their family.
"The families of Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Sonia Gandhi are not living in a democracy. They are living in a monarchy. They don't see anything outside of their family," Giriraj Singh said.
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Robert Vadra, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and a host of other leaders were also present during the nomination filing.
She filed her nomination papers to the district collector's office at Kalpetta.
Prior to her nomination, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka held a road show in Kalpetta town in Kerala and addressed a public rally where she expressed her gratitude to the people of Wayanad for supporting her brother in his difficult times.
"These values (truth and non-violence) moved my brother to walk 8000 km across India for love and unity... He could not have done that without your support... You stood with my brother when the whole world was turning its back against him... You gave him your strength and courage to keep fighting... My whole family will always remain indebted and grateful to you... I know he had to leave you and I promise that I will only strengthen the bond between you and him...," Priyanka Gandhi said during the rally.
Rahul Gandhi urged the people of Wayanad to repose their faith in his sister, assuring them that she would be their voice.
Gandhi is up against Navya Haridas, a candidate fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Left Democratic Front's (LDF) candidate Sathyan Mokeri. Haridas is a two-time Kozhikode Corporation councillor.
If Priyanka Gandhi wins from Wayanad, she will be the third person from the Gandhi family to enter Parliament.
The Wayanad seat was vacated by Rahul Gandhi, who retained the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha Constituency.
The by-poll in the constituency is scheduled to be held on November 13. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.