Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday penned an emotional letter to the people of Wayanad ahead of taking oath as the Rae Bareli MP. Thanking them for their support, Rahul in the letter said it was a “joy and honour” for him to be the voice of Wayanad in Parliament.
The people of Wayanad showered me with unconditional love that protected me from the abuse I faced day after day, he said. Rahul also added that though he is sad, he is consoled that his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, will now represent the people of Wayanad.
"You must have seen the sadness in my eyes as I stood in front of the media and told you about my decision. So why am I sad? I met you five years ago. The first time I visited you, I came asking for your support. I was a stranger to you and yet you believed in me," he said.
"You embraced me with unbridled love and affection. It did not matter which political formation you supported, it did not matter which community you were from or which religion you believed in or which language you spoke," Gandhi said in the letter.
It was in 2019, that Rahul was elected to the Lok Sabha Wayanad in Kerala after he lost from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. BJP leader Smriti Irani had won the elections from Amethi.
"When I faced abuse day after day, your unconditional love protected me. You were my refuge, my home and my family. I never felt for even a moment that you doubted me," he added.
In the letter, he also recalled the flood situation in Kerala. "I will never forget what I saw during the floods. Family after family who had lost everything. Life, property, friends all gone and yet not one of you, not even the smallest child had lost your dignity," he said.
"I will remember the countless flowers and hugs you gave me. Each one given with such genuine love and tenderness," he added.
Rahul said it was a matter of "joy and honour" for him to be the voice of the people of Wayanad in Parliament.
"It was truly a joy and an honour to be your voice in Parliament. I am sad, but I am consoled because my sister Priyanka will be there to represent you. I am confident that she will do an excellent job of being your MP if you decide to give her the opportunity," he said.
Rahul said that his central commitment to both Wayanad and Rae Bareli people is to fight and defeat the hatred and violence being spread in the country. He added that he is consoled because he has a loving family in the people of Rae Bareli.
"For the love and protection you gave me when I needed it most, you are part of my family and I will always be there for each and every one of you," he added.
(With PTI inputs)