If Priyanka Gandhi wins, Wayanad could become Cong's 'south bastion'

KOZHIKODE: Congress's decision to field Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Wayanad on her poll debut indicates strategic importance the Gandhi family attaches to the Lok Sabha constituency as a long-term bastion in south India, which provided the party 42 seats in recent polls.
Congress top brass feels Priyanka's parliamentary foray from Wayanad will help Gandhi family representatives maintain presence both in north and south.The decision has already energised Congress and UDF cadres, and it will make Wayanad a star constituency once again, say political experts.
Congress feels a win in Wayanad will help UDF leverage Priyanka's charisma and image in the 2026 assembly polls in Kerala. The state unit feels her presence and aggressive stance, especially while taking on BJP, will be an asset for the party.
"Wayanad would see the emergence of second Indira," said Congress's Kalpetta MLA T Siddique.
IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty said Priyanka's entry would be a confidence booster to the INDIA bloc, reports Rajeev K R.