Rahul Gandhi vows ‘long-term’ relation with Wayanad

‘Chose Constituency in Kerala to be model for rest of India’.

Update: 2019-04-17 19:48 GMT
Congress president Rahul Gandhi offers prayers for his father and late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi near Papanasini where his ashes were immersed when he visited Thirunelli temple in Wayanad on Wednesday.

Wayanad: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday hailed Wayanad as a model for the rest of the country because of its glorious traditions of culture and communal amity.

Addressing a massive gathering at the St Mary’s College grounds in Sult-han Bathery, Mr Gandhi rebutted the BJP propaganda about his choice of the constituency and said: “I will send a message to the rest of the country that there is a place called Wayanad in the South where people work together to resolve their problems peacefully.”

He wanted to represent not only Amethi but also the voice of South India and realised that Wayanad was the best place. “Because it represents different ideas and different cultures,” he said and added that almost all communities can be found in this beautiful place. “What is more important is the way the communities live together. Kerala is an example for peaceful coexistence,” he said

Throughout his speech, Rahul touched an emotional chord with the people saying that he had come to meet them “not as a politician but as a brother, son and friend.”

Rahul Gandhi said that he has been fighting against the ideologies of Narendra Modi and RSS for the last five years. “And the thinking behind their ideology is that one perspective, one person and one idea should rule this country,” he said and pointed out that he has realised through extensive travel across the country that there are multiple voices, ideas and languages. He also promised the people to work with them to resolve their issues, including the decade-old ban on night traffic through National Highway, the human-animal conflict, lack of modern medical facilities and the conflict between  development and environment. “I don’t believe in imposing solutions, but I believe in the wisdom and intellect of the people who can suggest solutions,” he said.

He came to the place about 30 minutes late but thousands of people, including women and children, waited patiently to have a look at the leader. He earlier performed rituals at the Mahavishnu Temple, Tirunelli, to propitiate the forefathers, including his father Rajiv Gandhi, grandmother Indira Gandhi, and also for the martyrs of Pulwama terrorist attack.

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