Public Campaigning Ends for Wayanad Lok Sabha, Chelakkara Assembly Bypoll in Kerala

 Thiruvananthapuram: All the major political parties in Kerala concluded their 28-day-long campaign for the Wayanad Lok Sabha and Chelakkara assembly by-elections on a high note, with workers accompanied by drummers, dancers, and musicians, making the grand finale a memorable occasion.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi addressed a large crowd in Thiruvambady as the campaign drew to a close. "Njan vegam thirichu etthum" (I will return soon), Priyanka announced in Malayalam, receiving a roaring applause from the audience.

Rahul Gandhi spoke of Priyanka as a fighter who will never back down. He stated that if Priyanka is elected, the Wayanad constituency will have two MPs: Priyanka as the official MP and himself as the unofficial representative in the Lok Sabha.

The CPM-led LDF organized a large roadshow in Wayanad, with Left workers taking to the streets with flags, festoons, drums, and musical instruments to foster a festive atmosphere.

LDF candidate and seasoned leader Sathyan Mokeri expressed confidence in his victory. "I am a local man who will be available to the people around the clock. Last time, people voted for Rahul Gandhi because they expected him to become the Prime Minister. However, this time, the electorate in Wayanad has realized how their region has been neglected in terms of development and how infrequently their MP visited the constituency," he stated.

BJP candidate Navya Hardas ascended a crane with a supporter to greet the applause of party workers who had assembled in large numbers for the grand finale. When questioned about her response to the Congress' allegations regarding Priyanka increasing the victory margin, she stated, "We are solely focused on our performance. The people will support us significantly this time."

In Thiruvambady, a minor altercation occurred between UDF and LDF workers during the grand finale. Nevertheless, the police stepped in and stopped both groups from confronting each other.

Chelakkara bypoll

The excitement was tangible in the Chelakkara assembly segment as well. Workers from the LDF, UDF, and BJP organized separate marches that converged for the grand finale. On the campaign's final day, the candidates—LDF's U R Pradeep, UDF's Remya Haridas, and BJP's K Balakrishnan—toured the constituency by vehicle. All the candidates later arrived at the grand finale point to partake in the workers' celebrations.

Prominent Congress leaders, including KPCC president K Sudhakaran, Chandy Oommen, Palakkad UDF candidate Rahul Mamkootathil, and opposition leader V D Satheesan, joined the workers for the grand finale.

A host of prominent LDF leaders converged in the two constituencies to participate in the campaign. K Radhakrishnan MP, ministers K Rajan, P Prasad, CPM Thrissur district secretary M M Varghese were present for the final phase of the campaign.

The polls are scheduled to take place in Wayanad and Chelakara on November 13. The EC postponed the Palakkad bypoll to November 20 due to the Kalpathy Rathotsavam.

The counting is set for November 23, with initial trends expected by 9 am.