In a bid to support tourism recovery in the landslide-affected district of Wayanad, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi took a thrilling ride on Kerala’s longest zipline, located at the scenic Karapuzha dam site on Tuesday. His adventurous move came just a day before bypolls began in Wayanad, where Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is vying for a seat in her electoral debut.
The zipline visit was part of Rahul Gandhi’s ongoing effort to showcase the resilience of Wayanad’s locals and to emphasize that tourism in the region remains safe and vibrant. In a video now circulating widely on social media, he shared, “On Priyanka’s campaign trail in Wayanad yesterday, I had the chance to connect with some truly inspiring locals. Despite the recent challenges, they’re not giving up. They’ve built incredible attractions – the largest giant swing in South India, a drop tower, and a thrilling zipline – all to show visitors that Wayanad is as stunning and safe as ever. I even tried the zipline myself, and I loved every second of it.”
Adding a touch of humor, Rahul Gandhi challenged his sister Priyanka Gandhi to experience the zipline while dressed in a saree, further highlighting their camaraderie and commitment to reviving Wayanad’s tourism.
During his visit, Rahul Gandhi also interacted with locals, reiterating that the landslide, which claimed over 200 lives in Choormala and Meppadi in July, was a localized event and that the rest of Wayanad remains ready to welcome tourists. “There is no problem in Wayanad. The landslide was a localised event, so tourism must not be damaged,” he asserted, encouraging visitors to support the local economy and help the region recover.
Priyanka Gandhi faces a close contest in Wayanad’s bypoll against BJP’s Navya Haridas and LDF candidate Satyan Mokeri. The election holds symbolic value as Wayanad continues to rebuild in the aftermath of the deadly landslides and widespread flooding. Priyanka Gandhi’s campaign has emphasized both recovery and growth, with Rahul Gandhi’s visit underscoring the Congress party’s support for the region’s revival.
Polling stations across Wayanad saw emotional scenes as landslide survivors, many of whom are temporarily residing in relief camps, cast their votes. In a special effort, free transport services were provided to ensure these survivors could travel from their temporary shelters to polling centers, allowing them to reconnect with neighbors and friends after the devastation.
With Wayanad’s beauty and resilience on display, Rahul Gandhi’s zipline adventure sends a strong message about the spirit of the people and the efforts to rebuild stronger than ever. The Congress leadership’s focus on tourism as a recovery path may prove a pivotal factor in Wayanad’s journey back to normalcy.
Sources By Agencies