Dubai: Rahul Gandhi was welcomed to Kerala’s Wayanad district today, as the Indian National Congress president landed in a helicopter to file his documents, to contest the upcoming national election from the small rural district.
With his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra beside him, Rahul was followed by a massive crowd of Congress workers and supporters as he headed to the district collectorate office in Kalpetta.
We spoke to some UAE expatriates from Kerala to find out what they think about Rahul’s decision to contest from Wayanad.
Priya Rex Fernandez, a manager of IT services in a UAE-based company said: “It’s a very smart move on Rahul’s part, Kerala being a model state for co-existence and equality, I think this move will have a positive impact on this year’s general elections.”
It’s a very smart move on Rahul’s part.
K. Rajashekharan from Kollam and working as a sales manager in Ajman, said: “I am very excited and happy, I think it’s the best decision on Rahulji’s part. He is representing a small district like Wayanad. His victory is very important for India. I think his decision to file nomination from Wayanad will also mean more seats for Congress in the entire state.”
I think his decision to file nomination from Wayanad will also mean more seats for Congress in the entire state.
YA Rahim from Wayanad, president of INCAS, Sharjah and former president of Sharjah Indian Association, feels: “This nomination will mean success for Congress not only in Kerala but also in other South Indian states.”
However, Ramesh Babu also from Wayanad observed that Amethi is a much safer seat for Rahul: “The Congress won in Wayanad in both 2009 and 2014. In 2016, however, the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) won four out of the seven seats in Wayanad during Kerala’s Legislative Assembly election. It is a risky seat for him, but it will be a very interesting election.”
Sharjah-based sales executive, Santosh Nair, from Chengannur district in Kerala thinks it was a bad decision for Congress. The 53-year-old CPI (M) supporter feels it is unfortunate that Rahul Gandhi is contesting against the CPI (M) in Wayanad. He said: “We are all on one side trying to fight against the fascist ways of the current government. The Congress party’s action is unfortunate.”
[An] issue Rahul will face is that he has no real connection with the voters of the district.
He also felt it was a bad political decision for Rahul and his party: “Wayanad is a CPI (M) stronghold, they already have four out of seven seats and even 29 out of 50 panchayats. Another issue Rahul will face is that he has no real connection with the voters of the district.”
Sharjah-based expat EP Johnson from Kollam feels it is a positive move: “The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee is getting a special appreciation from the All India Congress Committee since he has selected this constituency. I wish Rahul Gandhi all the best. He will be a Prime Minister who will be capable of handling the many issues India is facing.”
he Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee is getting a special appreciation from the All India Congress Committee since he has selected this constituency.
According to Simmimol Raijo, a teacher in Dubai: “It is the first time in history that a possible Prime Minister candidate is contesting from Kerala. I am looking forward to see the outcome.”
It is the first time in history that a possible Prime Minister candidate is contesting from Kerala.
And, Abu Dhabi resident Sebastian KS, 43, from Kannur added: “The youth-icon of India is in Wayanad today, I think Rahul can recreate and renovate India. The people of Wayanad will accept a kind-hearted man like Rahul. His victory will be a surgical strike against forces that are trying to destroy our nation. I hope we vote together for an India where people of all segments of society can live together and in peace.”
The people of Wayanad will accept a kind-hearted man like Rahul.
