BJP's K. Surendran to Challenge Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad for 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

K. Surendran, the BJP's Kerala State president, has announced that he will contest against Rahul Gandhi in the Wayanad constituency for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Wayanad, a picturesque and deeply forested constituency in Kerala, was created as a separate constituency in 1980.

In the 2019 elections, Rahul Gandhi won Wayanad by a margin of over 7 lakh votes, securing a vote share of 64.7%. However, voters in Wayanad are now reportedly disenchanted with Gandhi, and the opposition between the Indian National Congress and the Communist Party of India in Kerala might eat into both parties' vote shares.

The BJP's decision to field K. Surendran, its state president, in Wayanad shows the party's strong interest in dislodging Rahul Gandhi and the Congress from this seat. Surendran is confident of defeating the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala, citing anti-incumbency factors against the state government and the sitting MP, Rahul Gandhi.

Surendran believes the political undercurrents in Kerala favor the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and the fact that Rahul Gandhi and CPI's Annie Raja of the INDIA bloc are contesting against each other in Wayanad has created a favorable wave for the NDA. He criticizes Rahul Gandhi's performance as an MP, stating that "he was absent from the constituency for long periods and was inaccessible to both voters and Congress party workers."

Surendran also believes that recent controversies, such as Rahul Gandhi's use of his own placards instead of Congress and IUML flags, will benefit the NDA in the elections. This sets up a bitter battle between the Left and Congress parties, who have been trading allegations of being the 'B-Team' of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Why this matters: The high-profile contest in Wayanad between BJP's K. Surendran and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be a key battleground to watch in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The outcome could have significant implications for the political dynamics in Kerala and the national stage.

People in Wayanad are questioning whether Rahul Gandhi is seen as a prime ministerial candidate and if their anger is due to his lack of visits to the constituency. It remains to be seen if Gandhi's win in Wayanad will be as easy as in 2019 or if the constituency will go the way of Amethi, where he suffered a shocking defeat. The issues that matter to voters, including food politics, will play a critical role in determining the outcome of this closely watched election battle.

Key Takeaways

• BJP's K. Surendran to contest against Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad in 2024 LS polls
• Rahul Gandhi won Wayanad by 7 lakh votes in 2019, but voters now reportedly disenchanted
• BJP aims to dislodge Rahul Gandhi, citing anti-incumbency factors and Rahul's absence
• Bitter battle between Left and Congress parties, trading 'B-Team' allegations
• Outcome in Wayanad could have significant implications for Kerala and national politics