Rahul Gandhi Compares Wayanad Landslide Grief to Personal Loss After Visiting Disaster Areas

Wayanad, 1st August 2024: Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and former MP for Wayanad, expressed that the suffering experienced by the people of Wayanad surpasses the pain he felt following the assassination of his father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

“I now understand the depth of grief I felt when my father passed away. The residents of Wayanad have not only lost a father figure but also many family members. Their sorrow is greater than what I experienced. It was incredibly challenging to speak with those who have lost so many loved ones,” Rahul Gandhi said to reporters after visiting the landslide-affected areas and survivors on Thursday.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, who joined Rahul, echoed his sentiments, stating that she shared the same profound sense of loss.

Rahul Gandhi mentioned that the Congress party would explore ways to assist the survivors, while Priyanka Gandhi highlighted that many victims wished to relocate rather than return to their previous homes, indicating the need for their rehabilitation in safer areas.

Rahul described the Wayanad landslide as a national tragedy and indicated that he would await the government’s response to the situation. “This is a catastrophic event for the entire nation. We must ensure that survivors receive proper rehabilitation,” he remarked.

He also emphasized that he did not wish to engage in political discussions regarding the disaster at this time.

Rahul Gandhi, who served as the MP for Wayanad from 2019 and was re-elected in the recent elections, has chosen to retain his Raebareli seat. The Congress party has already announced Priyanka Gandhi as the candidate for the Wayanad by-election.