NEW DELHI: The BJP candidate from the highly-discussed Lok Sabha constituency of Wayanad, Navya Haridas, filed her nomination papers on Thursday, joined by senior party leaders.
Haridas expressed optimism about her candidacy and highlighted the need for political change in the area.
“Today, I’m filing my nomination and BJP’s state and national leaders will be along with me.I’m so excited and happy that the party has offered me such a wonderful opportunity. We started the election work a couple of days back. People require a change in the politics. So I think this time they are going to favour the BJP,” she told ANI.
Haridas attacked previous MPs for not addressing local issues. “None of the issues of Wayanad were raised in the parliament. They have never cared about the real needs of Wayanad. 10 per cent of the Wayanad consists of tribal population. Their upliftment has never been the consideration of the MPs,” she said.
Haridas is set to contest against Congress’ Priyanka Gandhi and LDF’s Sathyan Mokeri. Priyanka Gandhi filed her nomination on Wednesday, supported by senior Congress leaders and held a roadshow attended by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The Wayanad seat became vacant after Rahul Gandhi, who was elected from Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, resigned. Priyanka Gandhi’s candidature was confirmed by the Congress on October 15.
Wayanad will vote on November 13, coinciding with by-elections in 47 assembly seats across 15 states and the first phase of assembly polls in Jharkhand.