Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday said her first journey as a public representative of Wayanad is not her first as a "public fighter" as she asserted that fighting for democracy, justice and values enshrined in the Constitution is central to her life.

In an open letter to the people of Wayanad, after she filed her nomination papers from the constituency, she told them that she would work with them closely and help address their challenges.

Urging people to elect her as an MP in the November 13 bypoll, she promised that her work would serve to deepen the bond with them and that she would do all she could to fight for them and represent them in the way that they wish to be represented in Parliament.

She said the people of Wayanad will be "my guides and teachers" in this journey, which is her first as a public representative.

"Fighting for democracy, for justice and for the values enshrined in our constitution is central to my life.

 I look forward to carrying this battle for all our futures forward with your support and will be deeply grateful to you if you choose to make me your MP," she said in her letter.

"My Dear Sisters and Brothers of Wayanad, A few months back, I travelled to Chooramala and Mundakkai with my brother.

I saw the devastation brought by the landslide and the depth of the loss you suffered.

I met children who had lost everyone they loved, mothers who were grieving for their children and families whose entire lives had been washed away by the rage of nature.

"Yet, through the darkness of the tragedy that befell you, what shone through to me was your immense courage and fortitude as a community.

You rallied together with a strength I have not seen before.

Doctors, public representatives, volunteers, social workers, teachers, nurses, housewives, everyone was doing whatever they possibly could to help one another," she said.

She said as she was returning home, she felt that it would be an honour to represent the people of Wayanad in parliament. She said Rahul Gandhi explained to her the struggles of the people of Wayanad and briefed her about the issues that need attention and resolution.