This is the first time I'm campaigning for myself: Priyanka Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra told a gathering in Wayanad on Wednesday said that she was seeking votes for herself for the first time despite having campaigned in election for 35 years, NDTV reported.

She was addressing the meeting ahead of filing her nomination for the upcoming bypoll for the constituency which is twice represented by her brother Rahul Gandhi.

Gandhi, however, vacated the seat while retaining the Rae Bareli seat in Uttar Pradesh, ushering his sister in to electoral politics.

Priyanka Gandhi said that she campaigned in different elections over the 35 years, adding that she was 17-year-old when she campaigned for her father, the former PM Raviv Gandhi.

‘This is the first time I am campaigning in an election and seeking your support for myself. It is a very different feeling,’ the Congress leader said thanking Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for the opportunity to contest the election.

Priyanka Gandhi told the crowds that ‘It's my honour to represent you if you give me a chance.’

Recalling her visit along with Rahul Gandhi to Mundakkai and Churalmala in the aftermath of devastating landslide, she said ‘I saw the devastation with my own eyes. I saw children who lost their families’.

‘I was struck by one thing, each and every person I met was engaged in helping each other. They supported each other with courage, without greed and with compassion. To be part of your community is going to be a great privilege for me," she was quoted as saying.

Rahul Gandhi said that Wayanad will have an official MP and an unofficial MP and both will raise people’s issues in Lok Sabha.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge called Gandhi Vadra a strong leader, urging people to put their trust in her.

Wayanad is among 48 Lok Sabha seats going to polls on November 13 with result to be announced on November 23.