On Monday, 28 October, she kick-started her election campaign by addressing a corner meeting in Meenangadi, Sultan Bathery, with a heartfelt message to the people of Wayanad.
Published Oct 28, 2024 | 5:06 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 28, 2024 | 5:06 PM
Priyanka Gandhi in Wayanad. (X)
Priyanka Gandhi is making her electoral debut from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, in the upcoming bypolls scheduled for 13 November.
On Monday, 28 October, she kick-started her election campaign by addressing a corner meeting in Meenangadi, Sultan Bathery, with a heartfelt message to the people of Wayanad.
The by-poll was necessitated after Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, vacated the seat — which elected him twice in 2019 and 2024 — to retain Raebareli, a constituency on the banks of the Sai River, a tributary of the Gomti, in Uttar Pradesh.
Priyanka commended the people of Wayanad for their unwavering spirit, unity, and resilience. “When my brother and I visited the place after the devastating landslide, I immediately witnessed the strength of this community. Regardless of profession or faith, every person here did everything they could to help those impacted,” she said to the gathering.
“Many times in such circumstances, you see human greed, but here, I never saw that. You are courageous people, you fought against the British, you have a beautiful land and have a rich history, of harmony, people of all religions live in harmony.”
“You are courageous and you honour the teachings of all religions. How can I not be the proudest person to get an opportunity to represent Wayanad,” she added.
She went on to say that she has found mother’s love and care in the constituency. Narrating an incident from the day of her nomination, Priyanka recalled, “It was getting dark, and I saw a group of men, so I stopped to speak to them, among them, one person was from the army.”
“He said that his mother wanted to meet me, but couldn’t walk as the road was bad, so I asked him to take me to his house. When I reached his house, his mother met me with so much love and hugged me like I was her child. I can truthfully tell you I found no difference between her hug and my mother’s. That is how Wayanad makes me feel like I already have a mother, the moment I stepped here.”
She also discussed a number of state issues, including unemployment, the MSP of crops, the tourism sector, and the demands of the tribal population.
Priyanka further thanked the people of Wayanad for giving her brother, Rahul Gandhi the courage to take up the Bharat Jodo Yatra, and said they are his family, and not just an electorate.
She is accompanied by prominent party leaders, including VD Satheesan, the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly.
Meanwhile, Wandoor MLA AP Anil Kumar noted that UDF workers have already completed constituency-wide conventions, and they aim to wrap up booth-level conventions by Friday.
On Tuesday, 29 October, she is set to visit, Thiruvambadi, Eranad, Wandoor, and Nilambur Assembly segments.
(Compiled by Sumavarsha Kandula)
