The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced Navya Haridas as its candidate for the Wayanad bypolls to the Lok Sabha, where she will challenge Congress’s Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The election is set to take place on November 13, with the results to be declared on November 23.
Navya Haridas, 39, is a seasoned politician with significant experience in local governance. She has served two terms as a councillor in Kozhikode Corporation and currently holds the position of BJP parliamentary party leader within the corporation. In addition to her responsibilities in local government, she is the state General Secretary of the BJP Mahila Morcha, the women’s wing of the party.
An engineering graduate, Navya holds a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree in Mechanical Engineering from KMCT Engineering College, affiliated with Calicut University. She previously contested in the 2021 Kerala Assembly elections for the Kozhikode South constituency but was defeated by Congress candidate Ahammad Devarkovil.
After her nomination for the bypolls, Navya Haridas voiced her concerns about the current state of affairs in the Wayanad constituency. According to her, Congress has not adequately addressed the needs of the local population.
“People in Wayanad are looking for progress, and the Congress leadership has not met their expectations,” Navya remarked. “This election is a chance for the residents of Wayanad to choose a better representative who can truly address their issues.”
Navya emphasised the importance of electing a Member of Parliament who is committed to the development and well-being of the community. “I believe that Wayanad deserves a leader who will put local concerns first. My experience in public service has given me a deep understanding of the problems people face, and I am prepared to be that voice in Parliament,” she said.
With eight years of political experience and a track record in local administration, Navya aims to leverage her skills to serve Wayanad’s residents better. She believes her hands-on approach and understanding of the region’s challenges set her apart as a candidate.
By making Navya Haridas its candidate, BJP has tried to attract young voters. The party has presented Navya as a new and strong woman leader, who is contesting the elections on the issues of youth and women. On the other hand, Priyanka Gandhi is in the fray as a strong candidate from the Congress side. She has been a popular face for the party for a long time.
The bypolls in Wayanad were triggered after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who won seats in both Wayanad and Raebareli, opted to retain Raebareli. This decision opened up the seat in Wayanad, leading to a high-stakes battle for the prestigious constituency.
Apart from the contest between Navya Haridas and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Communist Party of India (CPI) has also fielded a strong candidate. Senior CPI leader Sathyan Mokeri will represent the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the upcoming election, making it a three-way race between the BJP, Congress, and the LDF.
As the election approaches, Wayanad is gearing up for an intense contest, with each candidate bringing their own unique strengths and political backing. The constituency’s voters will have the final say in determining who will represent them in the Lok Sabha.
