"Gandhi family is a synonym of Congress party," says JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar

"Gandhi family is a synonym of Congress party. They have the leadership, so they think that they should get the first chance (to be in power)...So, now she (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) has moved to Wayanad to contest the elections. This is an example of nepotism, which is always discussed but never resolved in the Congress party..." said Neeraj Kumar.

Speaking on the same, RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari countered a counter statement and said, "Those who disseminate knowledge about nepotism should look into their own lives."

Meanwhile, another row has erupted over Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's nomination as the Bharatiya Janata Party has alleged that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was kept outside while Priyanka Gandhi was filing her nominations in the presence of other party leaders. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "We have shown what is Dalit's position in Congress. Outside, Rahul Gandhi shows that the Congress party supports Dalits and gives them equal participation. But inside, Dalits are insulted. What happened with Mallilarjun Kharge yesterday, after that there is nothing left to tell people. Congress is exposed...Within the party, Dalits are insulted and treated as third-class citizens, and untouchability is practised..."

Notably, Priyanka Gandhi filed her nomination papers at the district collector's office at Kalpetta.

Prior to her nomination, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka held a massive roadshow in Kalpetta town in Kerala and addressed a public rally where she expressed her gratitude to the people of Wayanad for supporting her brother in his difficult times.

The Wayanad seat was vacated by the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi who retained the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha Constituency.

The by-poll in the Wayanad is scheduled to be held on November 13. (ANI)