Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is all set to formally mark her own entry into electoral race by contesting bypoll for Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, scheduled for November 13. The seat was left vacant by her brother Rahul Gandhi after he won parliamentary elections from here as well as Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh (UP). He chose to retain the UP seat. There would be no doubt to say that over the years Priyanka has been prepared for a career in politics. This is marked by her active participation during electoral campaigns for her mother (Sonia Gandhi) and brother gradually increasing over the years. Of course, in addition to these being campaigns for her immediate family brothers, the fact that it also helped Congress gain more publicity cannot be ignored. Subsequently, she was formally given a party rank as well as an office. One may say, these were perhaps strategies deliberately indulged in to make other party members get used to her position as well as rank within the Congress. Not that, they weren’t aware of this reality, informally. But this apparently made Priyanka also gradually get more accustomed to her formal stature within the party. Besides, it would not be wrong to say politics literally runs in her blood.
Over the years, since Congress has been pushed to the opposition, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s prominent entry onto the national stage, involvement of Priyanka has increased in electoral campaigning and being engaged with Congress party’s strategies. It would be wrong to view her efforts as a “success” on all fronts. Rather, she and her brother may said to have initially erred more than having succeeded at various levels. Without elaborating much, one may draw attention to strategies exercised by them ahead of Punjab Assembly Elections (2022) as well as that of UP (2022). They did not succeed. In fact, Congress failed to return to power in Punjab and cannot be credited for having performed better in UP. It is possible, these failures probably prompted them to reflect on their strategies and display a major change in Karnataka Assembly Elections (2023). They chose to fall back on a senior party member from the state itself and give greater importance to actually reaching out to people at the grassroots. The latter is marked by Rahul Gandhi’s walks with people spread over a longer period of time and also area.
There is no denying, their usual campaign strategies – including their waving out to people, speeches, that of Priyanka using the broomstick and other such moves certainly gained them substantial attention of people and also media coverage. However, these did not get translated into votes. A change in electoral strategy in Karnataka had this effect. Failure to win Haryana Assembly Polls has certainly once again appears to have cornered Rahul for his rivals as well as allies on his not having succeeded here. But he and Priyanka seem to be taking it rather well. If they have not succeeded in Haryana, their alliance with National Conference has at least pushed their key rival-BJP to the opposition in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). They have probably understood the importance of allying with key regional parties. This was the strategy apparently exercised in parliamentary elections and also in J&K Assembly polls and it helped.
Clearly, through trial and error backed by some success, Priyanka can be considered to be politically much wiser than she was just a few years ago. The major impact of Rahul’s marches on Lok Sabha elections may also have contributed to this. In addition, there is no doubt that Priyanka has a commanding presence, she attracts attention and is a good speaker. Her presence in the Parliament will certainly add to political strength of Congress in various ways. It shall definitely contribute to greater media attention at home and abroad. The Congress needs a lot of this. Nevertheless, the party cannot ignore the fact that without aligning with strong regional parties as well as leaders, whose command is recognized regionally, the Congress cannot gain great success simply by banking on its own strength or that of just a few key leaders within the party.
There is no denying, Gandhis do command attention and have a strong hold within their party. But the party’s strength during election time is dependent on the issues as well as politicians who can sway votes in favor of not just Congress but at present, what has great importance, is that of its alliance. The Congress and its key allies need to understand that political strength of their alliance is strongly – or one must say- totally dependent on how much they succeed against their key rival- that is BJP as well as its allies. Priyanka’s success from Wayanad will certainly aid them in this direction.
It may be noted, with Priyanka’s entry into Lok Sabha, there may have been five members from the Gandhi family. Yes, one cannot ignore Rahul and Priyanka’s cousin Feroze Varun Gandhi (BJP). He was denied the ticket this time and his mother, Maneka Gandhi lost these elections. Maneka Gandhi is wife of late Sanjay Gandhi, younger son of late Indira Gandhi. In fact, it may be noted, Lok Sabha has had four members from this family, including Sonia, Maneka, Rahul and Varun more than once. Sonia won elections to Lok Sabha in 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019. She is at present a member of Rajya Sabha. Maneka won the Lok Sabha elections in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019. Rahul won 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024 elections to Lok Sabha while Varun won these in 2009, 2014 and 2019. Interestingly, the Lok Sabha elections in 2009, 2014 and 2019 brought four members of Gandhi family to Lok Sabha, with Sonia and Rahul from Congress and other two are from BJP.
Now it is turn of Priyanka to make her electoral debut from Wayanad. Priyanka appears all set. Electoral stage also seems ready. It is for voters to give her the chance. Will they or not? It’s best to wait and watch the results unfold, though the going seems to be good!