Wayanad (Kerala): With large number of people extending a rousing welcome, Congress President Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala on Thursday.
Arriving on a helicopter from Kozhikode, Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Vadra drove to the Wayanad Collector’s office some 500 meters away, amid cheers by people who had assembled on both sides of the road.
After filing his nomination papers, Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Vadra boarded an open jeep for a road show in Wayanad. Senior state leaders including former CM Oommen Chandy, Ramesh Chennithala and others were also on the vehicle.
Apart from Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi will be contesting from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, which has been his traditional Lok Sabha constituency.
Kerala goes to the polls on April 23 to elect 20 MPs.
Earlier, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said that his decision to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Wayanad in Kerala was aimed at sending out a message that India was one.
He was speaking to the media before boarding a helicopter to Kozhikode after filing his nomination papers here. He said: “I have come to Kerala to send a message that India is one.
“I feel there is an assault on all institutions by (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi. I decided I will contest from south India and also from north India.”
The Congress leader accused Modi of ignoring the main issues: lack of jobs and farmers’ plight.
“Farmers do not know what is in store for them. The youths have difficulty in finding jobs.”
He said he had nothing against Kerala’s ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).
“I know the CPI-M and Congress are locked in a fight here and it will go on. But I am not going to say a word about the CPI-M. They will attack me and let them do that,” added Gandhi.