WAYANAD (KERALA), Oct 23: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday filed the nomination for her maiden electoral battle from Wayanad for the Lok Sabha bypoll as she took out a massive roadshow in Kalpetta and thanked the people of the Hill district for supporting her brother Rahul Gandhi when “the whole world had turned its back” on him.
Addressing a huge crowd, carrying placards with her and Rahul Gandhi’s photographs and balloons in the party colours, Priyanka asserted that she has 35 years of experience in the political arena. “At the age of 17 years, I first campaigned for my father (late Rajiv Gandhi) in 1989. It has been 35 years now (since then). I have campaigned for my mother, for my brother and for many of my (party) colleagues. This is the first time I am campaigning for myself,” she said.
Her statement came a day after BJP’s Navya Haridas, who is taking on the Congress leader in the poll contest, in an interview to PTI said she was more experienced in representing people than Priyanka.
Priyanka led the roadshow along with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi before filing her nomination.
Highlighting the bond between Wayanad and her family, Priyanka said the people of Wayanad stood with her brother Rahul when “the whole world had turned its back” on him.
“My whole family will always remain indebted to you and grateful to you for this support. He (Rahul) is sad to leave you, but I have promised him that I will only strengthen the bond between you and him,” she said.
Priyanka also said that she was deeply grateful to Kharge for giving her the “privilege” of being the UDF candidate from Wayanad and “it is my honour to represent you (people of Wayanad), if you give me a chance”.
Recalling her visit to Wayanad after the massive landslides which destroyed three villages in the hill district and claimed over 200 lives, she said everyone she met was engaged in helping others.
“Your courage deeply touched me. It would be a big honour and a great privilege to me to be a part of your community and your family. I am here to fight your battles, stand by you through thick and thin, be your voice, and I will not let you down,” she said.
Attacking the BJP government at the Centre, Priyanka said that the present times were one where those in power were trying to divide the people who voted them to power.
“They do not hesitate to subvert democracy. It is not the politics on which our nation was founded,” she said. (PTI)
