Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday began a three-day visit of Wayanad, the constituency that elected him to the Lok Sabha with the biggest victory margin in Kerala’s history (4.31 lakh votes) in the recent elections, assuring the State that he will be Kerala’s voice in Delhi.
Mr. Gandhi took out roadshows at Kalikavu, Nilambur, Edavanna and Areekode, the towns in Malappuram district coming under the Assembly segments of Wandoor, Nilambur and Eranad, which constitute the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency together with Kalpetta, Sulthan Bathery and Mananthavady in Wayanad district and Thiruvambady in Kozhikode district.
Cheerful best
Daring rain, a large number of United Democratic Front (UDF) enthusiasts gathered at Kalikavu to cheer Mr. Gandhi. He appeared at his cheerful best in spite of the rain, and took stops at wherever it deemed convenient and shook hands with the people. A large number of women had come out to greet Mr. Gandhi along the roads. Addressing the crowd at Kalikavu, Mr. Gandhi assured them that he would take up the issues of Kerala in Parliament.
Thanking the voters of Wayanad for his overwhelming victory, Mr. Gandhi said that he would be their voice in the Lok Sabha. He said that his door would always be open to the people of Wayanad. From Kalikavu, Mr. Gandhi’s motorcade proceeded to Nilambur via Chokad, a place that the police advised him to avoid fearing Maoist presence.
Thousands of UDF supporters had gathered on both sides of the road at Nilambur. Addressing them, he said that the Congress would combat the hatred spread by Narendra Modi and his government through love and affection. He said he would defend the weak and those who are under attack in Modi rule.
He thanked the voters and shook hands with them at several places. On the way to Edavanna from Nilambur, Mr. Gandhi stopped at Vadapuram and Mampad to interact with the voters.
Rain disruption
It was after sunset when he reached Edavanna. The rain had disrupted his schedule, delaying him by more than an hour. In spite of the rain, people waited for hours to take a close look at him.
Mr. Gandhi ended his first day’s show at Areekode.
