Wayanad (Kerala) (PTI): Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday said that she began taking part in political campaigns in 1989 at the age of 17 years when she canvassed votes for her late father Rajiv Gandhi.

Addressing a massive gathering at Kalpetta ahead of filing nominations for the upcoming Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll, she said that in the 35 years since then, she has campaigned for her mother, Sonia Gandhi, her brother Rahul Gandhi and other party colleagues.

Her statement also comes a day after BJP's Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll candidate Navya Haridas said she was more experienced in representing people than Priyanka.

Congress Parliamentary party president Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and other senior party leaders were present on the dais during Priyanka's speech.

During her public address, Priyanka also said that she considers it an honour to be chosen to represent the people of Wayanad.

She also said that she was deeply touched by the courage shown by people of Wayanad at the time of landslides that hit the district.

Priyanka would be contesting against LDF's Sathyan Mokeri and BJP's Navya Haridas.

The by-election for Wayanad LS seat became necessary after Rahul Gandhi, who won the Lok Sabha polls from there and Rae Bareli constituency, decided to vacate Wayanad.

Voting in Wayanad will be held on November 13.

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Vijayanagara: Five individuals, including a newborn, have reportedly died after consuming contaminated water in the village of T. Tumbigere in Harapanahalli taluk. Over 50 residents have fallen ill with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea.

The deceased have been identified as Suresh (30), Mahantesh (45), Gouramma (60), Hanumantappa (38), and an eight-month-old male infant. There are suspicions that their deaths are linked to the consumption of contaminated water.

Villagers have claimed that contaminated water has been supplied to the village for the past 15 days, leading to many residents being hospitalised. Tragically, the infant and four others have succumbed to their illnesses after consuming the tainted water.

More than 50 residents have been admitted to hospitals with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea. A pregnant woman, Nimgamma, has been taken to Davanagere District Hospital with severe symptoms, and it is reported that her unborn child has died due to the condition.

Officials from the Vijayanagara Zilla Panchayat and the Health and Family Welfare Department have rushed to the village to assess the situation.