Priyanka Gandhi wins big in debut election from Wayanad

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra won a resounding victory in the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-poll, setting the stage for her maiden appearance as a member of the Lok Sabha and joining her mother Sonia and brother Rahul as members of parliament.

Priyanka defeated CPI(M) candidate Sathyan Mokeri by securing over 6 lakh votes. BJP candidate Navya Haridas finished third with 1,09,939 votes.

Soon after her resounding victory, 52-year-old Priyanka said she is looking forward to being the voice of the people of Wayanad in parliament and thanked Rahul Gandhi for "showing her the way and having her backed always".

"My dearest sisters and brothers of Wayanad, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the trust you have placed in me. I will make sure that over time, you truly feel this victory has been your victory and the person you chose to represent you understands your hopes and dreams and fights for you as one of your own," Priyanka said in a post on X.

"I look forward to being your voice in Parliament!" she said and thanked the people of Wayanad for "this honour" and for the "immense love" they gave her.

After winning from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, as well, in this year's polls, Rahul, 54, vacated the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat and the party nominated Priyanka, paving the way for her electoral debut.

It was as a teenager that Priyanka visited parliament to listen to her father Rajiv Gandhi speak as prime minister. Four decades later, she is joining there as a member herself.

Italy-born Sonia Gandhi, 77, is a member of the Rajya Sabha.