Centre should give full support, says Rahul Gandhi

KALPETTA: Wayanad MP and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged the Centre to provide immediate aid to the people of Wayanad and Kerala and other southern states which hit by natural calamity. He was speaking to reporters after attending a review meeting at the collectorate here on Monday. He said that he had spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and requested him to make sure that the central government gives its full support to the affected regions.
“It is a tragedy not only for Wayanad but also for Kerala and some of the other southern states. I think the central government should pay attention and aggressively support the people,” said Rahul. He added that there were things needed to be done immediately. “People who had lost their property and the family members need to be compensated and rehabilitated,” he said. He called for immediate action by both the state and central governments.
Asked whether he was satisfied with the rescue and relief activities, Rahul Gandhi said, “I don’t want to politicize this thing. Here we are all working together.”
Rahul Gandhi also interacted with people in two relief camps at Meppadi, apart from Kaithapoyil in Kozhikode and Munderi in Wayanad. He asked the people not to worry about the future. “We are going to stand with you, we are going to help you and make sure that you are able to rebuild your lives,” he told them.
There were poignant scenes at many places as the survivors recounted the tragedy they had to face to Rahul. He consoled them and promised all help. At Kaithapoyil he handed over relief material to the affected persons. “I want to ensure everybody that even though we are in the opposition we will put as much pressure on the government to ensure that people who have lost their property are adequately compensated for it,” he told the camp inmates.
“Before I reached here I thought everyone would have lost hope, but when I came here I realized that you are very positive and full of hope," Rahul added.
Rahul Gandhi reviewed the rescue and relief operations with district collector A R Ajayakumar. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, MLA IC Balakrishnan, special officer U V Jose, Wayanad sub-collector N S K Umesh and ADM K Ajeesh were present at the meeting. KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal accompanied Rahul Gandhi during the visit.