Plea claims Priyanka Gandhi hid assets in poll info, HC sends her notice

KOCHI: Kerala high court on Tuesday issued notice to Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra seeking her response to a petition challenging her election from the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in the Nov 2024 byelection.Justice K Babu admitted the election petition filed by BJP candidate Navya Haridas seeking Priyanka's election to be declared void, and posted it for further hearing in Aug.In her petition, Haridas has accused Priyanka of corrupt practices and suppression or non-disclosure of several immovable properties owned by her and her spouse, Robert Vadra, in the affidavit submitted along with her nomination papers.The petition alleges that Priyanka suppressed vital information regarding assets owned by her and her family, thereby misleading and misinforming voters and keeping them in the dark to influence their electoral choice.

This, the petitioner contends, amounts to corrupt practices under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The petition also alleges that Priyanka's nomination papers violated election laws and the Conduct of Election Rules.In the byelection, necessitated by Rahul Gandhi vacating the seat in favour of Rae Bareli, Priyanka secured her maiden electoral victory with a margin exceeding four lakh votes. She polled 6,22,338 votes while LDF candidate Sathyan Mokeri secured 2,11,407 votes. Haridas, the petitioner, was placed third with 1,09,939 votes.