Keralaishomeforme,tweetsrahulgandhi
TRIVANDRUM:CONGRESS leader Rahul Gandhi’s historic Bharat Jodo Yatra or “unite India march” let Kerala and entered the western Tamil Nadu district of Nilgiri on Thursday on its way to Karnataka.
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin flagged off his long march from India’s southern tip of Kanyakumari on Sept.7 and he reached Kerala three days later by walking 57km.
Rahul is leading a group of 120 marchers drawn from different parts of India and they are expected to reach Srinagar, the state capital of the northernmost Jammu and Kashmir.
The scion of India’s Nehru-gandhi family, who quit as the party’s president ater the 2019 electoral debacle, is the first high-profile politician to travel this stretch on foot.
“Home is where you get love, and Kerala is home for me,” the Congress party leader tweeted before leaving his Wayanad constituency bordering Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
“No mater how much affection I give, I always get more in return from the people here. I am forever indebted. Thank you.”
He also thanked “wholeheartedly” the United Democratic Front (UDF) his party leads in Kerala, the police, reporters and “every individual who has been part of the march.”
“The support you have given us makes our resolve firmer and our strides stronger,” he said.
Sharing his photograph carrying a child on his march, he wrote: “I could walk a thousand miles for a moment like this.”
Organisers say the Kerala leg of his march was a huge success as people turned up on either side of his way and showered love and affection.
Women and children breaking the security cordon and running towards him was a routine scene all along his route in Kerala.
Many burst into tears as they managed to hug him he spoke to everyone one who got closer to him inquisitively.
“Thank you Wayanad. It was an enriching experience to walk with you,” he said, addressing a rally in Nilambur on Wednesday, his last public meeting in Kerala.
“I was not born here but I’ve been shown tremendous love, affection and respect. Thank you for giving me a second home.”
Rahul, who is in a desperate bid to revitalise the party cadres and revive its fortunes ahead of the national elections 17 months away, will stay in Gudalur overnight on Thursday.