Chief of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi together with sister Priyanka visited landslides-hit areas of Wayanad on Thursday and mentioned he was “deeply pained” to see individuals who have misplaced relations and houses within the tragedy, calling it a ”nationwide catastrophe” and demanded an pressing complete motion plan.
Gandhi, a former Congress MP from Wayanad, mentioned it was a ”horrible tragedy for Wayanad, Kerala, and the nation.” ”We have now come right here to see the scenario. It’s fairly a painful expertise to see that individuals misplaced their relations and homes. It’s very tough to talk to folks in these circumstances since you actually don’t know what to say to them. It’s been fairly a tough day for me, however we’re going to try to assist be sure that the survivors get what’s due,” he advised reporters.
“To me, this can be a nationwide catastrophe for certain, however let’s see what the federal government says,” he mentioned in response to reporters’ queries.
Each Gandhi and his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, first visited the landslide-hit Chooralmala space of Wayanad.
Vadra spoke alongside comparable strains as Gandhi, saying the ache folks within the space have been experiencing was unimaginable.
“We’re right here to assist them and to present as a lot help and luxury as we are able to.” she mentioned.
They each mentioned that many of the affected folks don’t wish to return and wish to be relocated or rehabilitated elsewhere.
Whereas Gandhi hoped that the federal government would take the folks’s needs under consideration, Vadra mentioned, “We should consider some answer to rehabilitate them in a safer space.” Each of them have been chatting with reporters after visiting the landslide-affected space of Chooralmala right here, a hospital and neighborhood well being centre in Meppadi, and two aid camps.
Gandhi mentioned that he now feels the identical method he did when his father died.
“I keep in mind what I felt when my father died. Right here, folks haven’t simply misplaced their fathers, they’ve misplaced their total households. I do know what I’ve felt and it’s a lot worse than that. It’s not one one who is feeling it. It’s hundreds of people who find themselves feeling it. So, it is rather very unhappy.
“I feel all of us owe these folks respect and affection, and we should always all be standing with them. I’m very proud that lots of people are standing with the folks of Wayanad. The entire nation’s consideration is in direction of Wayanad and I’m certain that the folks of the nation are going to assist Wayanad,” he mentioned.
When requested about Union House Minister Amit Shah’s current remarks blaming the state authorities with regard to the lack of life within the landslides, Gandhi mentioned it was not the time or place to debate politics.
”Individuals right here require assist. The time proper now could be to be sure that they get all the help they want. There are folks right here who’re in shock. They want medical help. I feel these are the issues we needs to be discussing. I’m not occupied with speaking about politics now.
“I’m within the folks of Wayanad and occupied with them getting the absolute best care and safety and being taken care of for the longer term,” he mentioned.
Vadra mentioned she feels the identical method as her brother with regard to the tragedy.
“In instances like this all of us ought to do every thing we are able to to help those that are struggling,” she mentioned.
She additional indicated that they are going to be staying again in Wayanad and mentioned that when they’re right here on Friday, ”we’re considering of sitting down and charting out what number of affected folks there are, what all we are able to do, what assist and help is coming and the way we are able to help, particularly the kids who’ve been left one their very own”.
After visiting the landslide-hit spot, Gandhi in a Fb publish mentioned that witnessing the scenes of catastrophe and tragedy deeply pained his coronary heart.
“In these tough instances, Priyanka and I stand with the folks of Wayanad. We’re intently monitoring the aid, rescue, and rehabilitation efforts, making certain that every one mandatory help is supplied. The UDF is dedicated to extending all doable help.” ”The repeated incidents of landslides and pure calamities are extraordinarily regarding. A complete motion plan is urgently wanted,” he mentioned in his publish.
After reaching Chooralmala, Gandhi and his sister — donning translucent blue raincoats — crossed the short-term wood walkway constructed there, witnessed the development of the Bailey Bridge, and walked across the space, braving the rain and muddy terrain.
Thereafter, they visited two aid camps, Dr Moopen’s Medical School and the Group Well being Centre in Meppadi the place the our bodies of the victims have been saved in refrigerated coffins and interacted with the grieving households there.
AICC basic secretary and Alappuzha MP Okay C Venugopal and varied different Congress leaders additionally accompanied them.
Gandhi, who gained from the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency within the 2019 basic elections, had emerged victorious this 12 months as effectively.
Nevertheless, as additionally gained from the Raebareli LS seat in Uttar Pradesh, he gave up the Wayanad phase, from the place Vadra is anticipated to contest when a by-election is held there.
Gandhi and Vadra landed at Kannur airport at 9.30 am after which travelled to Wayanad by street.
Huge landslides triggered by torrential rains hit Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha hamlets within the early hours of Tuesday, killing 177 folks, together with girls and youngsters, up to now.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – PTI)
