Won't utter a word against CPI(M) during my campaign: Rahul in Wayanad

'Decided to stand from Wayanad to send a message across the country'

The prime minister's behaviour betrays a [File] Rahul Gandhi | PTI

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday emphasised that while the CPI(M) is free to campaign against him in Kerala's Wayanad constituency, he would not utter a word against the party in Kerala. "I will not utter a word against the CPI(M) during my campaign in Kerala. The CPI(M) and the Congress are in a fight in Kerala. I understand that and I will continue to respect that," he said, indicating that the equations are totally different at the national level. 

Rahul asserted that he decided to stand from Wayanad in Kerala to send a message across the country, especially south India at a time when the country is battling assault against its culture, history and unity. "I have come to Kerala to send a message that India is one—south, north, west and east. It is important that I convey this message to India. There is a feeling in south India that the way in which governance is being here is not right. There is an assault or threat to India's culture, history and unity. There is a cultural attack on Hindustan in the way Narendra Modi is governing the country," Rahul Gandhi charged as he spoke to reporters after his roadshow in Wayanad. 

Rahul Gandhi, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Kerala Congress leaders embarked on the roadshow soon after the Congress chief filed his nomination papers from Wayanad constituency. 

Speaking to the press, Rahul also remembered late Congress leader M.A. Shahnavas, who passed away as a sitting Congress MP from Wayanad last year. Shahnavas was a two-time MP from Wayanad, a Congress bastion. Rahul also spared a word for legendary Pazhassi Raja, a local king who fought valiantly against the Britishers before dying a hero' death.

Rahul also took on the issue of corruption against the Modi government. "Modiji claims himself to be a chowkidaar (gatekeeper). The reality is the chowkidaar himself has stolen Rs 30,000 crore money to Anil Ambani, a man in debt. Why did he do that?" asked Rahul raking up the Rafale defence deal. Kerala: Rahul says won't utter a word against CPI(M) during campaign

Earlier in the day, Rahul received a rousing welcome in Wayanad. He left to Nagpur at 1:30pm after undertaking a roadshow in Wayanad post the filing of his nomination papers.