NEW DELHI: Congress leader and Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday posted a video of him trying Wayanad’s longest zipline as he took a break from campaigning for bypolls to promote the scenic beauty of Kerala’s hill district.
Donning a “I love Wayanad” T-shirt, Rahul jokingly asked his sister Priyanka Gandhi to join him on the zipline challenge in her saree.
Rahul engaged with locals and adventure sport organisers who have seen tourism decline since the landslides hit the region in July during his visit.
In a bid to promote tourism, Rahul said that Wayanad remains full of “incredible attractions” despite recent challenges from landslides.
I Did Kerala’s Longest Zipline | Wayanad | Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi, discussing the impact of the natural disaster, said, “The recent landslide has left tourism hanging by a thread, and livelihoods are suffering. From shopkeepers to homestay owners, everyone is working hard just to keep things going. Hearing their stories, I felt both deep concern for their struggles and immense admiration for their resilience,”
Highlighting the attractions in the district, Rahul noted that despite the landslide, locals have worked to create exciting draws for tourists, including the largest giant swing in South India and a drop tower. He said, “This is more than politics for me; the people of Wayanad have truly won a place in my heart. Priyanka and I have taken it up as a mission to make Wayanad a top destination in Kerala. Wayanad embodies the best of India.”
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi too highlighted that while the landslide’s impact was confined to certain areas, the perception of risk has deterred many potential visitors. “Whoever I was meeting, one huge effect of the landslide is on tourism which is unjustified in the sense that the landslide was just in a very restricted area. And as somebody said here, Wayanad actually got a huge area with very beautiful, natural landscape, many beautiful things too. I met homestay owners, they all also have been deeply affected. They are not able to pay their staffs for the last three months. So we just want to emphasise how Wayanad is safe. It is absolutely beautiful.”
Landslides triggered by torrential rainfall on July 30 wreaked havoc in Wayanad, leading to extensive damage in Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala villages. The disaster killed hundreds across the state and significantly affected the local economy.
Rahul, who previously held the Wayand seat, vacated it after retaining the seat he won in Raebareli. The Wayanad bypoll has brought the siblings back to the region, both advocating for a renewed focus on tourism.