Has Kerala HC Served Notice to Priyanka Gandhi Over BJP Candidate's Election Challenge?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kerala High Court has issued a notice to Priyanka Gandhi.
- BJP candidate Navya Haridas challenges her electoral victory.
- Priyanka must respond within two months.
- She is preparing to campaign in the Nilambur assembly by-election.
- Legal implications could influence political dynamics in Wayanad.
Kochi, June 10 (NationPress) The Kerala High Court has sent a notice to Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi in response to a petition submitted by BJP candidate Navya Haridas, who is contesting the legitimacy of her victory.
The court has instructed Priyanka Gandhi to submit her response within a two-month timeframe.
This notice arrives as Priyanka Gandhi prepares to visit her constituency later this week to support Congress candidate Aryadan Shoukath, who is competing in the Nilambur assembly by-election.
The Nilambur assembly constituency is part of the larger Wayanad Lok Sabha area.
Haridas initiated the challenge in December, claiming that Priyanka omitted critical information on her nomination, including undisclosed assets owned by her and her family, as well as failing to accurately report pending legal cases.
She argued that these omissions breach the Model Code of Conduct and constitute corrupt practices.
Priyanka Gandhi was nominated for the Wayanad by-election by her party's leadership after her brother Rahul Gandhi chose to vacate the seat to retain their family's traditional constituency in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh.
In the April 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi maintained the Wayanad seat but with a reduced margin of 3.64 lakh votes, down from his previous margin of 4.31 lakh votes in 2019.
During the by-election last November, Priyanka secured victory with a margin of 4.10 lakh votes, despite a 10% decrease in voter turnout compared to April 2024.
She garnered 6.22 lakh votes, while CPI candidate Sathyan Mokeri received 2.11 lakh votes, and Haridas trailed with 1.09 lakh votes.