Rahul's Viral Wayanad Video Sparks Congress Push to Revive Tourism After Recent Landslide Damage

Wayanad- Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, shared a video on Tuesday promoting tourism in Kerala's Wayanad district, a day after pledging his support to sister Priyanka Gandhi's campaign in the region. The video, which has since gone viral, showcases various tourist attractions in Wayanad, including the longest zipline in Kerala located at the Karapuzha dam site.

Gandhi, accompanied by Priyanka Gandhi, whose fate will be decided on Wednesday when the Wayanad goes to polling, visited the dam site and interacted with workers. He praised the local people's resilience in building attractions like the giant swing and zipline, despite the challenges posed by a recent landslide.

"On Priyanka's campaign trail in Wayanad yesterday, I had the chance to connect with some truly inspiring locals," Gandhi said in the video. "Despite the recent challenges, they're not giving up. They've built incredible attractions - the largest giant swing in South India, a drop tower, and a thrilling zipline all to show visitors that Wayanad is as stunning and safe as ever. I even tried the zipline myself, and I loved every second of it.’" He emphasized the impact of the landslide on tourism, stating, "The reality is tough... livelihoods are suffering from shopkeepers to homestay owners and the adventure park team, everyone is working hard just to keep things going."

In a statement on X, the Congress party echoed Rahul Gandhi’s sentiments, highlighting the resilience of the Wayanad people. "From the largest giant swing in South India to a thrilling zipline, the people of Wayanad have built incredible tourism and adventure spots. Despite their hardships, they continue to work hard to revitalise the local economy," the party stated. The party added that Wayanad epitomizes India, and Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have committed to making it a top destination in Kerala.

Local Congress legislator I.C. Balakrishnan believes that the visit by Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi will significantly boost tourism in Wayanad, which suffered heavily from the recent landslide. "He will make all efforts to promote Wayanad," Balakrishnan told IANS, emphasizing the positive impact the video will have on attracting tourists.