Congress chief Rahul Gandhi’s roadshow on Thursday after filing his papers to contest the Wayanad seat evoked a massive response, literally rocking the mountain town Kalpetta.
Braving the scorching heat, Mr. Gandhi, who was accompanied by his sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and senior Congress leaders, rode in an open vehicle.
The police and security agencies had a tough time controlling the crowd. An estimated one lakh people, including men, women, and children, assembled in the town, some clicking pictures on their mobile phones. Workers of the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League gathered in large numbers waving party flags.
The SPG had to change plans of the one-hour roadshow after the crowd swelled on the streets from 9 a.m. Many occupied spaces atop buildings.
Consequently, a 15-minute ‘roadshow’ was taken out from 11 a.m. after he flew down in a helicopter along with his sister to the SKMJ Higher Secondary School ground. He went to the Collectorate to file his nomination, a distance of 400 m.
Amid tight security, Mr. Gandhi, shook hands with many en route. The original plan was to carry out a 2-km roadshow after submitting his nominations from the collectorate to the old bus station. But the route was changed via the Kalpetta bypass, another 5 km, following the massive crowd in the town. Hundreds of supporters were seen joining the motorcade.
The roadshow ended around 1 p.m. However, three journalists were injured when the side rail of a vehicle carrying mediapersons collapsed.
Mr. Gandhi helped the police and health officials to assist the injured into an ambulance.
Press photographer Ritson, who was injured, was admitted to a local hospital. Supriya of TV9 said the rope of the vehicle severed and three persons fell on her.
Priyanka on Twitter
On his brother’s nomination from Wayanad, Ms. Vadra tweeted “My brother, my truest friend, and by far the most courageous man I know. Take care of him Wayanad, he wont let you down.”
After the roadshow, Mr. Gandhi tweeted, “I am overwhelmed by the love and affection of the people of Wayanad in Kerala, where I filed my nomination today for the Lok Sabha. Thank you for your support and warm welcome! I also want to wish the journalists injured in a mishap during our roadshow a speedy recovery.”
