Get Ready to See Me Often: Priyanka Gandhi's Commitment to Wayanad Residents as She Learns Malayalam

Wayanad (Kerala), Dec 2 (NationPress) Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra informed the residents of Kerala’s Wayanad that as their newly elected MP, she is committed to tirelessly working for a better and stronger future. She encouraged them to become accustomed to her frequent visits, where she intends to engage with the community to understand and tackle their challenges.

During a public gathering in the Mananthavady region on the second day of her thanksgiving tour, she highlighted key issues such as education, healthcare, speeding up the completion of the Medical College, promoting tourism, and ensuring farmers receive fair prices for their products as her primary focuses.

Expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support from the people of Wayanad, Priyanka Gandhi remarked: "I want you to know that each one of you who waited for me, each one of you who met me during the campaign, everyone who stood outside their houses on streets, gave me your love and affection, I want each one of you to know that you are my responsibility, that I take your love with complete seriousness and it is my duty to fight for you, to give you a better future in the next 5 years and ahead."

Reiterating the start of a long partnership with Wayanad's residents, she stated: "I look forward to visiting all of you, coming to your homes, to understand you better and to gather a deeper understanding of the issues you want me to advocate for and how you wish for those issues to be addressed."

Recalling a conversation from a previous meeting where a community member requested her to ensure she would return, Priyanka Gandhi humorously promised: "So, I am promising you that I will come so many times that you will get fed up of me. So, please get used to seeing me, and let us travel on this beautiful journey of making a better life, a stronger future together."

"During these two days, I am visiting every Assembly segment to thank everyone for the love and affection you have shown me, but following this, my real work will commence and we will collaborate to resolve all the issues you are facing. The first task is to start learning Malayalam," she mentioned, sharing a few phrases in the language.

"... I am learning more also," she added.

Priyanka Gandhi, who claimed victory in her first-ever election from Wayanad during the bypoll triggered by her brother and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi resigning to retain the family constituency of Rae Bareli in UP, won decisively, garnering more votes than he did in the earlier general elections, albeit slightly below his 2019 victory margin.

In her speech, she also acknowledged her colleagues from the Congress-led United Democratic Front, commending their hard work and specifically recognizing the UDF workers "to whom I owe this victory."

"Because for many years… for 35 years, I managed elections for my mother and brother. I understand the kind of hard work that goes into elections and campaigning on the ground. So, I know very well that such big margins are not possible unless there is very hard work by each and every worker on the ground and I thank you all for that," she noted.

Discussing the challenges faced by Wayanad's residents, she pointed out that those who have developed beautiful homestays are experiencing significant difficulties, particularly after the landslide that caused fear among tourists across India.

"It must be made clear and disseminated that the landslide affected a small area and the remainder of Wayanad remains stunning and continues to welcome visitors without danger," she assured.

"If we strengthen tourism here and do everything possible to showcase this beautiful region, many of your livelihoods will improve and you will find better job opportunities," she added, while advocating for food packaging units for "the beautiful crops that you grow and the spices you cultivate."

The Congress leader also praised the resilience and courage of Wayanad’s residents, stating that witnessing their humanity amidst the tragedy and suffering deeply impacted her.

Sharing an inspiring message from a young individual who lost his family in the disaster and maintains contact with her, Priyanka Gandhi expressed: "I truly understood what an honor it is to represent all of you in Parliament. Because maybe you don’t fully realize what a symbol of the true values that India stands for lies here in Wayanad."