Kozhikode: Congress president Rahul Gandhi was given a rousing welcome by UDF supporters when he arrived at Karipur airport at 9 15 pm on Wednesday. He later reached Vikram Maidan at West Hill by helicopter and stayed at the government rest house. His sister and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi stayed at Kadavu Resorts, sources said. Rahul and his team will reach Wayanad by a chopper by 9.30 a.m. on Thursday to file his nomination.
A road show will be staged up to 200 metres from the collectorate in tune with election commission rules. Apart from Priyanka Gandhi, Wayanad election committee chairman Mullappally Ramachandran, AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal, party leaders Mukul Wasnik and four staff members of Rahul Gandhi, among others, would accompany him to Wayanad.
Rahul will file three sets of nominations before district collector A.R. Ajayakumar, chief electoral officer, at 11.30 a.m. Though a leaders’ meet was planned, it was cancelled as the SPG officials disallowed it citing the narrow road to the DCC office at Kalpetta. After the roadshow, he will leave around 12 noon, it is learnt.
Wayanad district is under full security cover. Traffic restrictions will be in force in Kalpetta town from morning.
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