Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: Rahul Gandhi wins Wayanad, Rae bareli; what will Gandhi scion choose?

Rahul Gandhi/ PTI

Rahul Gandhi won the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency for the second time, defeating his nearest challenger, Annie Raja of the CPI, by more than 3.64 lakh votes. This seat comprises three assembly constituencies in Wayanad, three in Muslim-dominated Malappuram, and one in Kozhikode, which has a sizable Christian voter base. Gandhi also won in Rae Bareli, creating uncertainties over whose seat he would eventually represent in the Lok Sabha.

"I have won both seats, and I would like to thank the voters of Rae Bareli and Wayanad. I haven't decided which seat I'll keep," Gandhi stated on Tuesday after Lok Sabha Election Results 2024 were announced, reported PTI.

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According to the report, the Congress-led UDF was certain of Gandhi's victory in Wayanad, their stronghold. Despite challenges from BJP and Left candidates, Gandhi's support remained solid. BJP and Left detractors believed Gandhi would quit Wayanad if he kept Rae Bareli.

Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: Gandhi's Wayanad candidature

Wayanad, known for its lush green hills, unique cultural legacy, and large tribal population, received national prominence with Gandhi's candidature in 2019. The constituency, established in 2008, covers Kalpetta, Sulthan Bathery, and Mananthavady in Wayanad district; Thiruvambady in Kozhikode; and Nilambur, Wandoor, and Eranad in Malappuram, the PTI report added.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Wayanad economy, and it faces obstacles such as shifting market prices and crop failures. Other pressing topics include tribal well-being, environmental conservation, and infrastructure development.

Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: BJP, Left questioned Gandhi's absence from Wayanad

During the campaign, the UDF emphasised Gandhi's efforts in Wayanad and his global perspective on local concerns, while the BJP and Left questioned his absence from the constituency and failed to address critical issues such as the human-animal conflict, the news agency report added.

The PTI report stated that in the 2019 elections, Gandhi defeated CPI candidate P P Suneer by 4,31,770 votes in Wayanad. The voting turnout this year was 73.57 per cent, compared to 80.31 per cent in 2019.

K Surendran, a BJP leader, addressed the topic of altering the name of Sulthan Bathery town, which was previously known as Ganapathivattom, to represent historical emotion. Gandhi's roadshow in Kalpetta on April 3 grabbed national attention, with posters of his portrait and election symbol replacing the prominent green flags of ally IUML seen in 2019, most likely to prevent unwanted reactions from BJP critics, the news agency stated.

Senior CPI leader Annie Raja was the Left candidate in Wayanad, while BJP state president K Surendran also ran, making it a high-stakes campaign. The CPI(M) attacked the Congress for not raising IUML green flags during Gandhi's roadshow, claiming the move was made to avoid backlash in North India, the report added.