WAYANAD: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Wayanad on Tuesday to promote tourism in the region, which has been hit by a recent landslide. As part of his visit, Gandhi tried Kerala’s longest zipline while accompanying his sister Priyanka Gandhi on her campaign trail. This bypoll was necessitated after Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat, following his win from the Rae Bareli constituency.
Wearing a "I Love Wayanad" t-shirt, Gandhi enjoyed the thrilling experience of the zipline just a day before the polling took place in the hill constituency. In his remarks, he expressed admiration for the resilience of the locals, who have worked hard to develop exciting tourist attractions, including South India’s largest giant swing, a drop tower, and the zipline. "I had the chance to connect with some truly inspiring locals. Despite the recent challenges, they’re not giving up. They’ve built incredible attractions here—these are not just for fun, but to show the world that Wayanad is as beautiful and safe as ever. I even tried the zipline myself, and I loved every second of it," said Gandhi.
He also acknowledged the difficulties faced by the community due to the landslide. "The reality is tough as the recent landslide has left tourism hanging by a thread. Livelihoods are really suffering—from shopkeepers to homestay owners and the adventure park team, everyone is working hard just to keep things going. Hearing their stories, I felt both deep concern for their struggles and immense admiration for their resilience," he added. Gandhi emphasized that his connection to the people of Wayanad goes beyond politics. "This is more than politics for me; the people of Wayanad have truly won a place in my heart."
Gandhi also reiterated his support for his sister Priyanka’s campaign, expressing confidence that she would help unlock Wayanad's full potential. "I'm reaching out to my family in Wayanad—this election, my sister Priyanka Gandhi is ready to be your voice in Parliament. She will be more than just a representative—she will be your sister, your daughter, and your advocate. I am confident she will help unlock Wayanad's full potential. I urge all of you to come out, vote, and support her. Let’s ensure a resounding victory together!" he said in a post on X.
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