Villagers Criticize Rahul Gandhi For Refusing to Exit Car During Muddy Wayanad Visit

Wayanad, Kerala: Congress leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi, alongside Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, faced unexpected resistance from locals during their visit to the landslide-affected villages of Mundakkai and Punchiri Mattam on Friday. The siblings were in Wayanad to assess the devastation caused by recent landslides and express solidarity with the affected communities.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stopped by the locals

As their convoy approached the affected areas, a group of locals and residents, visibly distressed by the recent calamities, gathered to voice their frustrations. The crowd, consisting of people who had voted for Rahul Gandhi in the last elections, demanded that he step out of his car and engage directly with them.

“Brother, ask him to stop the car! We are the people who voted for him and made him win,” one resident exclaimed, addressing Priyanka Gandhi. “He was the MP of this place… If he is so concerned about not getting out of the car and dirtying his legs in the mud, why has he come here? What is there to see here?”

Kerala: LoP in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, along with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, visited the villages of Mundakkai and Punchiri Mattam in Wayanad affected by a landslide.

While there, they were stopped by locals and residents who said, “Brother, ask him to… pic.twitter.com/PHgSmfLwxR

— IANS (@ians_india) August 2, 2024

The protest underscored the community’s expectations for their elected representative to demonstrate a hands-on approach, especially in times of crisis. The residents’ confrontation highlighted a growing sentiment among them that their grievances and immediate needs should be met with direct action and empathy, rather than distant observation.

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Rahul Gandhi, known for his previous visits to Wayanad and engagement with the community, faced a critical moment as he was urged to bridge the gap between political leadership and grassroots realities. In response to the demands, he eventually alighted from his vehicle, walked through the muddy and treacherous terrain, and interacted with the villagers. He listened to their concerns, assessed the damage firsthand, and assured them of his continued support and efforts to bring necessary relief and rehabilitation to the region.

Priyanka Gandhi, accompanying her brother, also engaged with the residents, providing a sympathetic ear and emphasizing the Congress party’s commitment to the people of Wayanad.