Rahul to visit relief camps, meet fishermen

Rahul Gandhi

Back from his Europe tour, Congress president Rahul Gandhi will pay a two-day visit to flood-ravaged Kerala starting Tuesday.

Mr. Gandhi said he would visit relief camps and meet fishermen and party volunteers involved in relief work.

“I will be in Kerala tomorrow [Tuesday] and the day after, visiting flood-hit areas and relief camps in the State. I will also meet with fishermen, volunteers and others who have been working tirelessly & selflessly to help those in need,” he tweeted on Monday.

Senior leader and general secretary in charge of Kerala, Mukul Wasnik, flew in to the State for the party chief’s visit.

‘Helping millions’

Ahead of Mr. Gandhi’s visit, Indian Youth Congress vice-president B.V. Srinivas tweeted pictures of relief material arranged by the youth wing of the party. “IYC has left no stones unturned to help the millions left homeless in Kerala. We have faith that the spirit and resilience of the people will help rise our beloved God’s Own Country to its glory once again,” Mr. Srinivas tweeted.

The Congress chief has been urging the Centre to declare the floods a national calamity.

“Dear PM, Increasing funds allocated for Kerala relief to ₹500 Cr is a good step but nowhere near enough. It is critical you declare the floods as a National Disaster. Please do not vacillate as the people of Kerala are suffering,” the Congress chief had tweeted soon after the Centre announced the interim relief after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the State last week.