Priyanka Gandhi summoned by Kerala HC over BJP's election petition
text_fields
Kochi: 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 was defeated in the 2024 Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election held in November.
Haridas has alleged that Gandhi failed to disclose certain assets belonging to her and her family, and is seeking to have the election result invalidated. Justice K. Babu issued the notice to Gandhi after reviewing the arguments presented by Haridas' lawyer, Advocate Hari Kumar G Nair, ANI reported.
The petition challenges the validity of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s election on the grounds of alleged corrupt practices and the concealment or non-disclosure of various immovable properties owned by her and her husband, Robert Vadra, in the affidavit submitted with her nomination papers, Free Press Journal reported
Additionally, it claims that Gandhi failed to reveal information about several investments and movable assets belonging to Vadra in the affidavit filed with the Returning Officer.
The case has been scheduled for the next hearing in August 2025.
In December, Haridas approached the Kerala High Court seeking to have the election results annulled, contesting Priyanka Gandhi’s win in the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-polls, which took place on November 13 after Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat.
Haridas alleged that Gandhi withheld crucial information from the electorate and exerted undue influence over voters in the Wayanad constituency. In response, the Congress party had previously dismissed the petition, characterizing it as an act of "cheap publicity.”
Congress leader Tiwari, speaking to ANI in December, reportedly criticized Haridas, suggesting she was seeking publicity and pointing out that Gandhi had won the election by a substantial margin.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra secured victory in the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-polls with a lead of 4,10,931 votes over CPI candidate Sathyan Mokeri. The contest in Wayanad, a traditional Congress bastion, saw a three-way race between Gandhi, BJP’s Navya Haridas, and CPI’s Sathyan Mokeri.
