BJP Criticizes Congress for Ignoring Wayanad Landslide Tragedy
BJP's Allegations Against Congress Leadership
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress leadership of neglecting Wayanad following a recent landslide disaster. The party claims that this constituency has been turned into a political pawn for the 'first family' of Congress. C.R. Kesavan, the national spokesperson for the BJP, specifically targeted Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, questioning her absence from the site of the landslide that occurred on July 7 at the Anakkampoyil-Meppadi twin-tube tunnel project in Kerala.
Criticism of Priyanka Gandhi's Response
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), C.R. Kesavan pointed out that Priyanka Gandhi neither visited the affected area nor met with the families of the victims. He alleged that aside from posting on social media, she did not provide any assistance to the victims or their relatives. Kesavan accused Priyanka Gandhi of overlooking her constituency, stating that Wayanad has become merely a political tool for the Congress's 'first family.' He also referenced the time when Rahul Gandhi served as the MP for Wayanad, claiming that locals frequently complained about his lack of engagement with the constituency.
Allegations Against Rahul Gandhi
Kesavan noted that during Rahul Gandhi's tenure, it was widely believed that he rarely paid attention to the constituency and seldom visited. He further accused Rahul Gandhi of deceiving Wayanad voters by contesting elections from Raebareli after the Lok Sabha elections, asserting that the same political tactics continue under Priyanka Gandhi's representation. This statement came as rescue teams recovered the body of the last person feared trapped under the debris, raising the death toll from the landslide to eight.
Details of the Landslide Incident
The landslide occurred in Kalladi, where work is ongoing for the Anakkampoyil-Meppadi twin-tube tunnel project, a significant infrastructure initiative aimed at improving connectivity between Wayanad and Kozhikode districts. Following five days of search operations, authorities conducted a large-scale search on Sunday after failing to locate the last missing individual, Vikram Rana. The operation involved the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Special Operations Group (SOG), Fire and Rescue Services, Rapid Response Team, Forest Department, and youth volunteer organizations. With the recovery of the last body, the search and rescue operation at the site has concluded.