Kalpetta, Wayanad: Addressing a rapt viewers in Kalpetta Tuesday, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi declared that the BJP can take away his place as a member of Parliament, however it could actually’t cease him from representing the individuals of Wayanad.
Accompanied by his sister Priyanka, Gandhi made his first go to to his erstwhile constituency since he was disqualified as Lok Sabha MP final month. The thrill was palpable — the crowds might hear Gandhi’s helicopter earlier than they might see it, and broke out into chants greeting him. The previous Congress president, in return, promised that his “disqualification will solely deepen” his relationship with Wayanad.
Calling it “the largest reward” the BJP might give him, Gandhi stated that his disqualification is an indication that he’s on the precise path. Priyanka, who addressed the group earlier than him, stated that what has occurred along with her brother is a “symptom of how far we’re down a path to dictatorship in the present day”.
After touchdown on the city’s helipad — situated only a kilometre away from the MP workplace and nestled in opposition to the Western Ghats — the Gandhis rode to the rally on prime of a truck with ‘Satyamev Jayate’ emblazoned on the facet. The roadshow convoy was led by the Congress’s grassroots frontal organisation, the Seva Dal, marching in white and carrying the Indian flag as an alternative of occasion flags. Crowds thronged the slim streets and chanting slogans. Someone threw a cap to Priyanka to guard her from the afternoon solar, which she caught however didn’t put on.
The rally was held reverse Gandhi’s former workplace. Congress and United Democratic Entrance (UDF) stalwarts like Okay.C. Venugopal, Okay. Muraleedharan and Chief of Opposition in Kerala meeting V.D. Satheesan attended, together with Congress MLAs like T. Siddique and Ramesh Chennithala. Satheesan informed ThePrint that the turnout was Wayanad’s response to the disqualification, and that they had been there to help their chief.
“Like a river, individuals are flowing to Kalpetta,” Siddique, Congress MLA from Kalpetta and one of many three working presidents of the KPCC, informed ThePrint, grinning. “It is a thrilling temper.”
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Banners, balloons and hoardings
However the crowds weren’t as massive as anticipated — presumably attributable to Ramzan, shrugged an area Congress employee.
Hoardings and posters of the Gandhis had been shortly erected a few hours earlier than their arrival. Large balloons dotted the sky with Gandhi’s face on one facet and ‘Satyamev Jayate’ on the opposite. One banner, stretched excessive throughout the street, thanked Gandhi particularly for his “interference in bringing UGC NET and NEET examination centre in Wayanad”. Individuals had been holding placards saying “We Are With You”, and “My Home For You”.
Arjun Radhakrishnan, a yoga instructor based mostly in Thiruvananthapuram, travelled all the way in which to Wayanad to attend the rally. “So many individuals have come to see him as a result of they recognise that what’s been achieved to him is incorrect. He represents what it means to be Indian, and what the Congress stands for,” he stated.
Fourteen-year-old Sanin Saheed informed ThePrint that he was excited in equal components to see Gandhi and his helicopter. His mother and father had been dwelling fasting, so he was there on their behalf. “Everyone seems to be saying he’s our household, so I feel so too.”
Gandhi echoed this sentiment in his speech — he repeated a number of occasions that the individuals of Wayanad are like his household, as did Priyanka in her speech.
“My sister didn’t let you know however I used to be really completely happy they took away my home. It’s not fascinating for me to stay in that home,” stated Gandhi midway by means of his speech. “How many individuals in Wayanad misplaced their home? I noticed lots of of households lose their homes in Wayanad when the floods got here right here. And I realized from you. Take my home, take it fifty occasions, I don’t care. I’ll proceed to boost the problems of the individuals of Wayanad and the individuals of India.”
‘Looks like a farewell’
Earlier than his speech reassured the individuals of Wayanad of their persevering with relationship, there was loads of anxiousness over Gandhi’s future as their MP.
“There’s help for Rahul, and there may be help for the Congress too,” stated Usman, a retired soldier residing in Kalpetta, earlier than including that he additionally helps the UDF. A fan of Priyanka Gandhi, he attended the roadshow and rally whereas fasting for Ramzan.
The thought of Priyanka representing Wayanad in lieu of her brother has picked up some mileage. Ninnu, a thirty-year-old supervisor, informed ThePrint that whereas her first ever vote was for Rahul Gandhi, she wished Priyanka would stand from Wayanad.
Ninnu added that the Gandhis’ speeches had been emotional. Sneha, 20, described Rahul Gandhi’s speech as ‘adipoli’ (glorious). “He’s our hero, like our saviour. We had been so unhappy when he was disqualified,” she stated.
Native Congress staff had been additionally feeling the anxiousness. A few of them had been cross-checking every others’ estimate of how many individuals had attended — however the basic consensus was that they anticipated extra individuals.
“It looks like a farewell,” murmured one employee, earlier than turning round and shouting in Malayalam: “Rahul, we’re with you!”
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
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