Video Editor: Vikram Venkateswaran
Cameraperson: Romani Agarwal
Congress President Rahul Gandhi has decided to contest from Kerala’s Wayanad constituency, apart from the Gandhi family’s traditional bastion of Amethi, this Lok Sabha elections 2019.
This move, many believe, will help the good old party energise its presence in the south, which contributes to 130 seats.
If you look at the population of Wayanad district, it has around 49% Hindus and 49% Muslims and Christians.
So, have the people of Kerala accepted his nomination? The Quint spoke to people in Thiruvananthapuram to find out if they approve of Rahul Gandhi as a contestant from Kerala.
While many welcomed him, others believed voting for a person who is not from Kerala but wants to contest from Wayanad for merely establishing their presence in the South was not to be entertained.
But Why Kerala? Why Wayanad?
There is a reason why Rahul Gandhi would choose to contest from South India.
The BJP and the Congress have a very limited influence in the South. So this move could help Rahul link with Communists of the state, who have also been against the BJP, and gain some support from this part of the country.
Some students believed he could be afraid of losing his Amethi seat, so this is his safety net.
“When you win in a constituency and enter Lok Sabha, it is mainly to voice the concerns of the people from that place, to make their life easier, for their jobs, education. But I don’t think the lives of the people will improve if Rahul Gandhi who has come from North India to contest in South India.”Aleena, student
Wishlist for Rahul
Many students in Thiruvananthapuram said they want a leader who will understand the needs of the people of Kerala and ensure quick implementation of various schemes.
“Back in the day, they (the Congress) had fixed ideologies. But now they have no original thought. They just go with what everyone says. I think they will lose. As young people, [we] aspire for a better tomorrow.”Veena, student
Some of the problems faced by Wayanad, as many pointed, were losses faced by farmers and plantation workers, especially because of the 2018 floods.
“From any part of the world, Kerala seems like God's own country, but if you come here, you'll see there are many issues. That's why, even today, people are unaware of the troubles faced by many marginalised people here. This is the reason the young generation opts for NOTA over everything else,” said Aleena, a student.
Another issue highlighted was the need for more employment opportunities.
A few students, meanwhile, felt that it would be a matter of pride if an MP from Kerala became the prime minister of the country.
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