"Feel What I Felt When My Father Died": Rahul Gandhi In Landslide-Hit Wayanad

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday visited Kerala's Wayanad - Mr Gandhi's Lok Sabha constituency - and offered messages of support to people there struggling to recover from devastating landslides that have killed nearly 300 so far with another 200 still missing.

To underline the emotional impact of their visit Rahul Gandhi told reporters "I feel how I felt when my father (ex-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, assassinated in May 1991) died".

"I remember what I felt when my father died. But here people have not just lost a father... they have lost families... brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers. I know what I felt (when his father was killed) and this is much worse than that. It is not one person suffering but thousands."

#WATCH | On deaths due to Wayanad landslides, Congress MP & LoP Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says, "Today, I feel how I felt when my father died. Here people have not just lost a father but an entire family. We all owe these people respect and affection. The whole nation's attention… pic.twitter.com/9dSPI6kQdx

— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2024

"We owe people here all our respect and affection, and should be standing with them at this time. I am very proud that the whole nation is focused on Wayanad and is helping," he said.

READ | Kerala Landslide Deaths Rise To 291, Nearly 200 Still Missing

Mr Gandhi also responded firmly to political jabs over the landslides.

"I don't think this is the time or place to discuss political issues. People here need help. I am not interested in politics at this moment. My focus is on the people of Wayanad."

नेता विपक्ष श्री @RahulGandhi और कांग्रेस महासचिव श्रीमती @priyankagandhi ने मेपड्डी, वायनाड में आपदा पीड़ितों से मुलाकात की।

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