PM Modi Hostile to South India: Rahul Reacts to ‘Why Wayanad’

“I am with you South India,” said Rahul Gandhi while unveiling the Congress’ election manifesto.

The Congress has decided that Rahul Gandhi will contest from one more seat – far away from Amethi – the safe seat of Wayanad in Kerala.

(Photo altered by The Quint)

On Sunday, 31 March, Congress president Rahul Gandhi announced that he will contest the Lok Sabha polls from the Wayanad parliamentary seat in Kerala.

In his first public statement since the announcement, Gandhi explained his choice of seat while answering press questions during the release of the Congress’ election manifesto on Tuesday, 2 April.

“There is a feeling in south India that they are not being carried by the current government, they feel a hostility from PM Modi. They feel that they are not being included in the decisions of this country.”

Rahul Gandhi

He added, “I wanted to send a message to south India that I am with you. That is why I am standing from here.”

‘Fighting from a Hindu Minority Seat’ Modi on Rahul’s Decision

On Monday, 1 April, Prime Minister Modi addressed a rally in Maharashtra saying, "They (Congress) linked peace-loving Hindus to terrorism...they are scared now to contest elections from constituencies where the majority population dominates...they are forced to go where the majority (Hindus) is a minority,” reported PTI.

Although Modi did not name Gandhi, the comment was a dig at Gandhi’s decision to contest a second seat from Wayanad.