Wayanad: ‘Bored’ of Modi, Rahul focuses on childhood memories of Priyanka

Fight for the Constitution

However, in his speech at the rally, he also stressed on how the primary struggle in the country today is to protect and preserve the Constitution. Talking about preserving the Constitution of the country, Rahul said it was not written with hatred, but with humility and love.

"The main fight in the country today, that is taking place, is the fight for the Constitution of our country. The protection that we get, the greatness of our country, all emerged from the Constitution," the Lok Sabha MP said while addressing a corner meeting in Mananthavady in Wayanad as part of the campaign for his sister Priyanka.

"The Constitution was not written with anger or with hatred. It was written by the people who fought the British, the people who had suffered, who spent years and years and years in jail. And they wrote the Constitution with humility, with love and with affection," he said.

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha pointed out that this is a fight between love and hatred.

"A fight between confidence and insecurity. And if you truly want to win this fight, then you must help by removing anger from your heart, by removing hatred from your heart, and replacing them with love, humility and compassion," he told the gathering.

Priyanka, who spoke earlier, had accused PM Modi of favouring big business interests over the well-being of the people.

Also read: Modi destroyed dignity of PM's post with hollow promises: Priyanka 

'That is my sister'

"In this meeting, I have a choice in front of me to either give a political message or a speech I would give to my family members. I would rather speak to you like I speak to my family. I would like to give a speech more about the candidate herself," Rahul said addressing the rally.

"My sister has always been a campaigner. She never stood for election. That should tell you something about her character," he said.

Sharing their nostalgic memories of childhood when they competed with each other using the cameras gifted by their father (late Rajiv Gandhi) for capturing the best photograph, he said, "I still don't remember who won the competition.. ok.. she (Priyanka ) is now saying that I won." He said Priyanka had travelled a long distance from the little girl taking the photographs.

"She understands that the beauty is that everyone has millions and millions of labels, every single person is unique, everything is unique - someone might see weakness, she'll see strength - that is my sister," he added.

Rahul Gandhi also said that Priyanka can do more roles than him.

Politics of love

He also said it was the first time he is seeking votes for his sister, who has campaigned for him, and their parents earlier.

“She is the person who went and hugged the girl who was implicated in my father's (Rajiv Gandhi) assassination. She said to me after she came back after meeting Nalini, she went emotional and then she said to me that I'm feeling bad for her," Rahul recalled.

"That is the training that she has received. And to me, this is the type of politics that needs to be done in India. Not the politics of hatred, but politics of love and affection."

Also read: Priyanka's Wayanad campaign: A blend of the personal and the political 

Priyanka targets PM Modi

Meanwhile, Priyanka resumed her campaign from Sunday by holding public and corner meetings in the hill constituency with her brother Rahul Gandhi.

In her campaign, Priyanka continued her tirade against the central government alleging that PM Modi has done everything for his business friends.

“Modi ji's government works only for his big businessmen friends. His objective, is not to give you a better life. It is not to find new jobs for your young one who are educated. It is not to provide better health, education and well being of the people,” she alleged.

Priyanka accused the Modi government of dividing people, spreading hatred among them and taking away their rights, besides damaging democratic institutions.

"They attacked Rahul Gandhi Ji for fighting for people’s rights," the Congress leader said, also mentioning her work with Mother Teresa and also about sister Rosebell who resides in Mananthavady.

Priyanka's campaign

Priyanka promised to continue her fight to establish a medical college in Wayanad with full health facilities.

In her speech, the Congress leader also highlighted night ban, traffic issues on Ghat Road, man-animal conflicts, tribals and agrarian issues in the mountain constituency.

Referring to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Programme (MGNREGA) which greatly benefited the tribal community, she alleged that the Centre’s funding for this programme and the job availability through the scheme have been reduced.

"We need to raise our voice in the Parliament, and all the platforms to push the government to increase the funding."

The Congress general secretary, who is making her electoral debut, will be in Kerala till November 7, according to her itinerary released by the party.

After the meeting at Gandhi Park in Mananthavady, she attended corner meetings separately at Valad and Korom in Mananthavady Assembly constituency on Sunday.

Wayanad constituency

The byelection for Wayanad LS seat became necessary after Rahul, who won the Lok Sabha polls from Wayanad and Rae Bareli constituency, decided to vacate Wayanad.

The Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency consists of seven Assembly segments-- Mananthavady (ST), Sulthan Bathery (ST) and Kalpetta in Wayanad district, Thiruvambady in Kozhikode district and Eranad, Nilambur, and Wandoor in Malappuram district.

Voting in Wayanad will be held on November 13.

(With inputs from agencies)