Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has officially filed his nomination for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala today as Kerala gears up for the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April 26.
Accompanied by prominent leaders such as KPCC president K Sudhakaran, Ramesh Chennithala, P K Kunhalikutty, and Panakkad Sayed Abbas Ali Shihab Thangal, Rahul Gandhi will formally submit his nomination papers to Wayanad District Collector Renu Raj at her office in Kalpetta.
The nomination filing will be preceded by a grand roadshow in Kalpetta town, showcasing overwhelming support from United Democratic Front (UDF) workers from seven assembly constituencies under the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat.
Rahul Gandhi faces tough competition in Wayanad from CPI leader Annie Raja and BJP’s state president K Surendran. In the previous 2019 polls, Rahul Gandhi secured a resounding victory from Wayanad, with the highest margin in the state. However, his decision to contest against Annie Raja drew criticism from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who questioned its alignment with the vision of the I.N.D.I.A bloc.
Opponent K Surendran criticized Gandhi for alleged absenteeism in the constituency during critical times such as floods and the COVID-19 pandemic.