Meanwhile, the Returning Officer accepted the nomination of the Congress leader after completing the scrutiny on Monday. She had submitted four sets of nomination papers.

The BJP had accused Priyanka Gandhi of the “non-disclosure of essential information” regarding her and her husband Robert Vadra’s assets in her affidavit to contest the by-election.

Congress leaders, including CWC member Ramesh Chennithala, gave her a warm reception at the Nilgiri College of Arts and Science grounds upon her arrival by helicopter at 11.50 am.

Amid tight security, she took the time to greet party workers and students before heading to Meenangadi in the Sulthan Bathery Assembly constituency by road for her first meeting.

The by-election was necessitated after Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat following his victory in the Rai Bareli constituency in the recent parliamentary elections.

The by-election will be held on November 13.

Priyanka is contesting against the LDF’s veteran leader Sathyan Mokeri, a former MLA, and the BJP’s Navya Haridas, a two-time councillor of the Kozhikode Corporation.