The Kerala High Court has issued a summons to Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra following an election petition filed by BJP leader Navya Haridas, who contested and lost the 2024 Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll.
The petition seeks annulment of Priyanka’s election victory, alleging suppression of asset details and corrupt practices.
Priyanka Gandhi had secured the Wayanad seat in the November 2024 by-election with a significant margin of 4,10,931 votes, defeating CPI’s Sathyan Mokeri, while Haridas of the BJP came third.
Haridas approached the court in December 2024, alleging that Priyanka failed to disclose several immovable properties and investments owned by her and her husband Robert Vadra in her nomination affidavit. The petition claims this non-disclosure amounts to corrupt practice under election laws and seeks to invalidate the bypoll results.
Justice K Babu of the Kerala High Court issued the summons after hearing initial arguments presented by Haridas’ counsel, Advocate Hari Kumar G Nair. The case has now been posted for further hearing in August 2025.
The Congress party earlier dismissed the petition as “cheap publicity”, with party spokesperson Rajeev Tiwari stating, “Priyanka Gandhi Vadra won with a clear and massive mandate. This is nothing but an attempt to stay relevant.”
The bypoll was necessitated after Rahul Gandhi vacated the Wayanad seat, triggering a high-profile triangular contest involving the Congress, BJP, and CPI. Wayanad has long been considered a Congress stronghold in Kerala.
