Priyanka's Wayanad campaign: A blend of the personal and the political

On November 29, after attending Priyanka’s corner meeting as part of her campaign for the Wayanad bypolls, Saudabi appeared exhausted and slightly disappointed. Despite her anticipation, she hadn’t managed to catch a clear glimpse of Priyanka.

"I was hoping to see Rahul Gandhi as well, but he wasn’t there," she lamented. Dressed in a light blue churidar, Priyanka drew the attention of the crowd with her elegance and friendly demeanour.

Saudabi shared, "I came here from Edavanna near Nilambur to catch a glimpse of her while visiting my aunt nearby. It has always been my long-standing wish to meet and hold hands with both Rahul and Priyanka."

Also read: Mother Teresa, 2 rosaries, and cleaning bathrooms: Priyanka opens up to Wayanad

Historical bond

Priyanka's campaign in Wayanad seems marked by her efforts to connect with voters like Saudabi through personal stories and shared values. In her speeches, she keeps on mentioning the historical bond between the Gandhi family and the constituency, repeatedly saying how Wayanad voters have supported her brother Rahul's fight for truth.

"When a major campaign was unleashed against my brother, it was you who understood that he was fighting for the truth," she stated during an earlier rally in Mananthavady. Her message strikes a chord with voters who feel a kinship with the Gandhis.

Further, Priyanka promises to address local issues such as job shortages and infrastructure development, stating, "Rahul Gandhi has shown the way. He has raised your issues in Parliament." Priyanka's commitment to improving facilities at Wayanad Medical College and constructing new roads reflects her understanding of local needs.

Third phase of campaign

After filing her nomination on October 23, Priyanka did not campaign until October 28, when she returned for two days to hold corner meetings in Wayanad and Malappuram districts. The third phase of her campaign began on November 3 and will continue through till the 7th. During this phase, Rahul is joining her at some meetings and will attend standalone rallies in various locations.

During her absence, local UDF leaders, especially the MLAs play a vital role in sustaining the campaign momentum. UDF MLAs T Siddique in Wayanad and former Kerala minister A P Anil Kumar in Malappuram coordinated the constituency-level campaigns to rally support. Apart from these two senior leaders, Congress MLA I C Balakrishnan, IUML’s PK Basheer are also actively campaigning for her.

Of the seven assembly segments in the Wayanad constituency, four belong to the United Democratic Front, although the Indian Union Muslim League and Congress maintain a strong presence in the area.

The Left Democratic Front won three segments in 2021, but PV Anvar, the LDF-supported independent, later broke ranks and began supporting Priyanka in Wayanad, despite running a candidate in the Chelakkara constituency under his newly-formed political outfit, DMK. The Mananthavady and Thiruvambady constituencies are represented by CPI(M) MLAs, including minister O R Kelu and Linto Joseph.

Also read: Priyanka Gandhi will come and go as a guest: Wayanad LDF candidate Sathyan Mokeri

Booth level conventions

The UDF's strategy includes booth-level conventions that reinforce Priyanka's messages and encourage voter turnout led by the MLAs and other state-level leaders.

“We have been adopting this approach right form 2019 when Rahul Gandhi first contested here. This collaborative effort ensures that even when Priyanka is not physically present, her vision for Wayanad remains alive among the electorate,” said T Siddique MLA..

While personally present for the campaign, Priyanka Gandhi has chosen a simpler approach compared to her brother, Rahul.

The emotional connection that voters like Saudabi Ibrahim feel toward the Gandhi family is evident. Her desire to meet both siblings highlights how personal interactions with political figures can significantly influence public sentiment and voter turnout.

Priyanka has focused on bringing in her brother in her speeches, with the exception of a single incident where she made a pointed critique of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing him of Hindu appeasement this time after having appeased minorities earlier. This comment was made in response to a question from a reporter during a brief media interaction.

Mix of personal narrative and political strategy

In this third phase, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s campaign in Wayanad is evolving as a blend of personal narrative and political strategy. She embodies a bridge between her brother’s legacy and her vision for Wayanad’s future, aiming to garner support through heartfelt appeals and promises of tangible change.

"My main promise is that I will work hard to serve the people of Wayanad. I will stand side by side with them through their problems and issues and I will fight for them. I will raise my voice on whichever platform I can, especially the Parliament if I am elected. I will do everything I can to help them resolve their issues and have a better life," she said before beginning the campaign on November 3.

Also read: Wayanad bypolls | After LS poll rout, Kerala CM Pinarayi appeasing Hindus, says Priyanka

While Priyanka is focusing on the issues relating to the common people of Wayanad and their connections with her brother, and attacking the Modi government for being anti-people, the local leaders are training their guns on Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing him of forgetting the poor and hobnobbing with the BJP. Despite his DMK extending support to Priyanka in Wayanad, PV Anvar and his supporters are not seen at the public meetings campaigning for her.

However, her campaign is shaping up to be a significant moment not only for her electoral debut but also for the Congress' broader strategy in Kerala. As voters like Saudabi Ibrahim look on with hope and anticipation, Priyanka continues to rally support with a message steeped in familial connection and commitment to democratic values.