New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said people in South India “feel hostility” from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he decided to contest from Wayanad in Kerala to send out the message that he stands with them.
The Congress on Sunday announced that party chief Rahul Gandhi will contest from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, besides his traditional stronghold of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.
“There is a feeling in South India, a very strong feeling in South India, that they are not being carried (along) by the current government. South India feels hostility from Narendra Modi, they feel that they are not being included in the decisions of the country,” Gandhi said.
“So, I wanted to send a message to South India that we are with you and I am standing with you. That is why I am standing from Kerala,” he said in response to a question after the launch of the party’s manifesto.
The Congress’ announcement that the party chief will contest from Wayanad evoked sharp reactions from the Left and Right of the political spectrum.
The CPI(M) and CPI said the move signalled the Congress wanted to take on the Left which would work towards defeating him in the elections from Wayanad.
BJP chief Amit Shah reacted to the development saying Rahul has “fled to Kerala as he fears that Amethi voters will seek an account from him”.
Addressing a rally in Wardha, Maharashtra, on Monday, the prime minister said the Congress is scared to field its leaders from constituencies where the majority dominates in terms of voter-base.He, however, did not name Rahul Gandhi.
The Congress is hoping to further consolidate its position this time in Kerala.
Top Congress leaders have contested from the South earlier as well.
Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has in the past contested from the Bellary Lok Sabha seat in Karnataka, while Rahul Gandhi’s grandmother, former prime minister Indira Gandhi, contested from Chikamangalur in Karnataka.