Congress upset over Wayanad turnout: Priyanka's win may not be as big as Rahul's

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With over five lakh people staying away from voting in Wayanad byelection on Wednesday, Congress camp is now upset over a possible decline in the majority for AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who chose UDF stronghold for her electoral debut.

All-India Congress Committee (AICC), which took serious note of the low voter turnout, will conduct a thorough investigation into the reasons for it. The KPCC and district Congress leadership have claimed that all party votes had been polled, but they have stopped claiming a record majority. The party leadership now expects a victory margin of between three lakh and four lakh for Priyanka, as against over six lakh touted earlier.

Of the 9.52 lakh votes polled, the district Congress leadership estimates close to six lakh votes for her. Its estimates for LDF candidate Sathyan Mokeri and BJP candidate Navya Haridas are close to two lakh and one lakh votes, respectively.

“We are not at all worried about the victory or majority Priyanka Gandhi will secure. The low voter turnout will not impact the majority,” AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said, adding that AICC was examining the reasons for the “unexpected” low voter turnout.

Low turnout in places like Nilambur, Wandoor, and Sulthan Bathery, which are considered UDF strongholds, is what is bothering Congress, which expected high enthusiasm among voters for a high-profile candidate in the constituency.

In 2019, total votes polled were 10,92,197, of which Rahul Gandhi secured 7,06,367 votes. In April 2024, the total votes polled were 10,84,653, when Rahul got 6,47,445 votes. The total votes polled this time are 9,52,543 (out of a total electorate of 14,62,423).