Mukkam (Kozhikode, Kerala), November 30: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary and newly elected member of parliament from Wayanad Ms Priyanka Gandhi Vadra today thanked the people here for reposing their faith and trust in her.

Addressing a largely attended public rally to thank the people of Wayanad, both Rahul Gandhi and Ms Vadra referred to the divisive and hate filled politics being played by the BJP at the centre. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to the welfare of Wayanad, pledging to continue their work in strengthening the constituency and supporting its people in every way possible.

Rahul Gandhi said it was an ideological battle they were fighting against the BJP. He said, while the Congress believed in love, harmony, feelings and affection, the BJP talked about hatred, anger, violence and dividing people. He criticised the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for shielding and protecting businessman Gautam Adani despite his indictment by the Department of Justice in the United States. Prime Minister Modi says Adani is going to be treated differently than other Indians and it doesn’t matter if he (Adani) has been indicted in the US and has been called a criminal; in India he will not be prosecuted, he observed.

Referring to Prime Minister’s callous indifference towards the tragedy of Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi pointed out, while the constitution says that all people, regions and states in India should be treated fairly, “PM of India says, ‘regardless what tragedy Wayanad faced, I won’t give them their due’”.

Expressing confidence about defeating the ideology of the BJP, Gandhi said, “despite everything like the entire government, media, agencies like ED, CBI and IT at their disposal, we will still defeat them with the support and trust of people which wins against everything”.

Gandhi said, being in the opposition they cannot do much themselves, but they will force the LDF government in Kerala to help the tragedy-stricken people of Wayanad.

Speaking on the occasion Priyanka Gandhi Vadra thanked the people of Wayanad with the core of her heart, telling them she will never disappoint them. “The doors of my office and house will always be open for you”, she told the people amidst thunderous applause.

“Truly from bottom of my heart, I thank each one of you for what you have given me. Value of what you have given me lies in your love and trust. I am in the Parliament for you. It is your voice that I will raise, it is your problems that I will try to resolve. It is your beliefs, your values, your hopes and your aspirations that I will stand for, from now until the end”, a profoundly grateful Ms Vadra told the people of Wayanad.

Saluting the courageous spirit of the people of Wayanad, she recalled how a young boy from here, who had lost his entire family in the landslides, told her that his hobby was serving and helping the people.

Comparing the current political challenges with the landslide in Wayanad, Ms Vadra said, “in many ways, political challenges we face today are like that landslide. There are no rules. There is no explanation. And the ruling party, the BJP knows no democratic norms that we normally expect in a democracy”.

Alleging that institutions were being destroyed, she pointed out, “even basic faith in the electoral process and other institutions that held our country together, wavers”. “It needs the same spirit and courage as the Wayanad boy”, she said, while remarking, “we require the same kind of courage, strength and tenacity”.

Congress general secretary in charge of organisation KC Venugopal and other senior leaders of the party were also present on the occasion.