Wayanad bypoll: Who is Navya Haridas — BJP’s candidate against Priyanaka Gandhi

BJP fields Navya Haridas against Priyanka Gandhi in Wayanad bypoll

 The BJP on Saturday (October 19, 2024) fielded Mahila Morcha leader Navya Haridas for Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency bypoll. She will be pitted against Congress’ national leader Priyanka Gandhi and the LDF’s Sathyan Mokeri.

The by-election for Wayanad Lok Sabha seat became necessary after Rahul Gandhi, who won the Lok Sabha polls from there and Rae Bareli constituency, decided to vacate it.

Also read | Priyanka Gandhi’s entry in Wayanad bypoll may be a gamechanger for Congress-led UDF in 2026 Kerala Assembly polls

While the Congress has decided to field Mr. Gandhi’s sister Priyanka — in her electoral debut —, the BJP has gone for two-time Kozhikode Corporation councillor Ms. Haridas

Ms. Haridas comes with some election experience to this crucial contest. She had previously fought from the Kozhikode South Assembly consituency in the 2021 elections. However, Ms. Haridas was unable to secure victory, and came in third below INL’s Ahamed Devarkovil, and IUML’s Noorbeena Rasheed. Mr. Devarkovil won the 2021 elections with 44.15% of the votes, while Ms. Haridas was restricted at20.89% votes.

According to PTI, Ms. Haridas is software engineer by profession, Haridas serves as the parliamentary party leader for the BJP in the corporation.

For Priyanka, this bypoll will be a test of Congress’ ability to leverage the anti-incumbency factor.