Wayanad: Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Sonia Gandhi arrived in Wayanad on Friday, September 19, for a two-day visit. This high-profile visit has officially been described as private. Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi is already present. Amid ongoing internal disputes within the Congress party in Kerala, this visit has increased political turmoil.
According to reports, Sonia and Rahul landed at Karipur Airport at 10 a.m. They arrived by helicopter at the government school grounds in Padinjarethra, Wayanad, and from there, they reached the hotel by road. They were welcomed by MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KPCC President Sunny Joseph. Local MLA T. Siddiqui told ETV Bharat that no official program was scheduled.
Senior leaders accompanying them include national leaders K.C. Venugopal and Deepa Das Munshi, and state leaders Shafi Parambil. While the visit is private, Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to meet with KPCC President Sunny Joseph to discuss the political situation in the state.
A special meeting chaired by K.C. Venugopal is also scheduled at the Kalpetta DCC office to discuss local issues in Wayanad. This meeting is expected to discuss the local body elections next month and the state assembly elections in April. The visit is being seen as an attempt by the high command to resolve ongoing internal disputes within the party.
These local controversies, including the recent deaths of former DCC treasurer M.N. Vijayan and his son, and village panchayat member Jose Neledath, reportedly impacted Priyanka Gandhi’s recent visit to the constituency. She is understood to have sought clarification from local leaders on these matters. This meeting between Rahul Gandhi and senior party leaders underscores the seriousness of the challenges facing the Congress in the state.
