Challenging Priyanka, Left and Right

When devastating landslides struck Wayanad in July, Rahul Gandhi had already vacated this Lok Sabha seat—a move his opponents called a 'betrayal'. Now, with tragedy and unresolved issues as the backdrop, can his sister overcome stiff competition from the BJP and the Left? SHINE JACOB finds out

- SHINE JACOB

It's a landscape like no other: The Western Ghats' rolling green hills and misty vistas meet their prime in Kerala's Wayanad district, often called the "Green Paradise". But on July 30, this serene region became the site of tragedy as deadly landslides and torrential rains ravaged the area, claiming over 231 lives, with remains of 218 others later recovered. The devastating incident left over 400 injured and more than 118 still missing.

Yet, amid the chaos, one absence was glaring: No member of parliament was there to represent the people of Wayanad as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had already vacated this Lok Sabha seat.

As more than 1.46 million voters prepare to cast their vote in the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll on November 13—almost five months since the last election and three months since the tragic landslide—many are wondering about the significance of that vacant seat.

Rahul Gandhi, who resigned from Wayanad on June 18 to retain his seat in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, left the door open for another Nehru-Gandhi scion: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Making her electoral debut, Priyanka is already being hailed in Wayanad as India's next "Iron Woman," with posters depicting her as the rightful heir to her grandmother Indira Gandhi.

In rally after rally, Priyanka has expressed gratitude for the people's loyalty to Rahul, who in the previous Lok Sabha term was disqualified as MP following his conviction in a defamation case (he was later reinstated to the position).