As Jharkhand and Maharashtra prepare for legislative elections, by-elections are also taking place in 48 assembly seats across 14 states, as well as two Lok Sabha seats in two states. Among these is Kerala's Wayanad seat, left vacant by Rahul Gandhi’s resignation. Congress has announced Priyanka Gandhi as their candidate for this key constituency. As Priyanka steps into the political arena, there's much speculation about how the Gandhi family’s Southern strategy will play out.
The Gandhi Family's Fourth Entry into Southern Politics
Priyanka Gandhi becomes the fourth member of the Gandhi family to contest elections in the South. Before her, three other members of the Nehru-Gandhi family successfully entered Parliament through the Southern corridors. Like Priyanka, her mother Sonia Gandhi also contested her initial elections from a Southern seat—Karnataka's Bellary—in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections, ultimately winning from both Bellary and Uttar Pradesh's Amethi, later resigning from the Southern seat.
Southern Success for Indira and Rahul Gandhi
The South has served as a political haven for the Gandhi family. After facing defeat in her stronghold of Raebareli post-Emergency, Indira Gandhi turned to the South to regain her parliamentary seat, triumphing in the 1978 by-election from Karnataka's Chikmagalur. Her campaign featured the slogan, “A lioness among monkeys… Chikmagalur… Chikmagalur.”
In the 2019 general elections, Rahul Gandhi embraced a Southern strategy, contesting from Kerala's Wayanad alongside Amethi. Although defeated in Amethi by BJP's Smriti Irani, he secured a victory in Wayanad. In the 2024 elections, Rahul aimed for Raebareli as well and triumphed in both constituencies before stepping down from Wayanad, prompting Congress to announce Priyanka Gandhi as their candidate.
The Shift from Karnataka to Kerala
Historically, Gandhi family members directed their focus to Karnataka when considering the South. However, the latest generation, represented by Rahul and Priyanka, has pivoted to Kerala. This strategic shift from Karnataka to Kerala is attributed to BJP's growing presence in Karnataka, creating a challenging contest for Congress.
The Unwavering Support of the South for the Gandhi Family
While the political heart of the Gandhi family remains in the North, their ventures into the South have consistently met with success. Despite narratives suggesting a return to Northern constituencies if victorious, Southern voters have steadfastly supported Gandhi family members. Whether Wayanad's electorate will continue this legacy by electing Priyanka Gandhi remains to be seen in the by-election results.
