Diocese calls for addressing local problems in the constituency contested by Rahul Gandhi
The Diocese of Mananthavady, in the southern state of Kerala, released a statement addressed to all parties regarding issues affecting Wayanad constituency, like the lack of infrastructure, schools, and hospitals. Gandhi spoke about the same things during a rally but also attacked the ruling party’s ideology.
Thiruvananthapuram (AsiaNews) – A few days before the start of elections to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s parliament, the Diocese of Mananthavady, in the southern state of Kerala, issued a press release addressed to all political parties regarding what it considers the main issues affecting the people of the Wayanad constituency.
Rahul Gandhi, who is trying to win the seat for the main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, held a local rally yesterday ahead of upcoming countrywide vote. The latter is set to start on 19 April with voting in Kerala on 26 April, and results announced on 4 June.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is running for a third term, while the BJP leader in Kerala, K. Surendran, party chief, is running against Gandhi.
In its statement, the Diocese of Mananthavady highlights a series of issues so far ignored by politicians.
“As the Lok Sabha Election 2024 approaches, we, the residents of the Wayanad Constituency, urge you to address the following pressing issues,” reads the circular released by the diocese yesterday.
“The people had high expectations when the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency was formed 15 years ago. However, Wayanad remains without a central plan that can be highlighted, unlike other Lok Sabha constituencies in India.”
The diocese's statement goes on to say that the constituency lacks hospitals. “Wayanad is characterised by the absence of adequate medical facilities and transportation, resulting in human lives being endangered in the rush to seek medical care.”
The local government-run medical college is inadequate. “Despite being an aspirational district, Wayanad's potential for a central medical college is restricted to only one board," the statement laments.
Despite promises, several infrastructure projects, like a railway or airstrip, have never been realised, the diocese stressed.
Finally, the authorities have never addressed the conflicts and accidents that arise from encounters between residents and wildlife. “There are individuals in Wayanad who have lost peace and happiness due to the fear of wild animal attacks.”
The press release ends with a series of requests, ranging from guarantees to religious freedom to support for small businesses, non-unionised workers, and farmers without a pension plan.
Rahul Gandhi also touched upon these points in his rally yesterday. The INC leader used the occasion to attack the BJP’s ideology of one nation, one language, one leader, one people.
For Gandhi, language is not something that is imposed from the top, but is something that comes from a person’s heart. In Kerala, people have a strong connection with their culture, including Malayalam, their distinct language.
“Malayalam is not just a language, it is your link to your civilisation,” Gandhi told the people at the rally, adding that India is like a bouquet and every flower has to be respected.
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23/02/2024 19:29
07/02/2019 17:28
