"Gandhi family can contest from anywhere in India": IUML's PK Kunhalikutty hits back at BJP

Wayanad (Kerala) [India], October 23 (ANI): Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) National General Secretary PK Kunhalikutty said on Wednesday that the Gandhi family can contest from anywhere in India amid criticism by the BJP of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's decision to vacate the Wayana Lok Sabha assembly seat in Kerala.
PK Kunhalikutty's response came ahead of the nomination filing of Priyanka Gandhi for the Wayanad by-poll.
"... Last time he (Rahul Gandhi) contested from UP and he won... The Gandhi family can contest from anywhere in India. They can contest from Lakshadweep, Wayanad, or UP, they have proven that. Last time they made propaganda about Rahul Ji and what happened afterwards. He won from Raebareli also...," he told ANI.
Speaking about the preparations for the nomination filing, Kunhalikutty said, "You will see that after some time thousands of people will come to Wayanad and follow her (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) to the nomination place. This is going to be a big event here today..."
Earlier on Wednesday, Indian Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu Chib told ANI, "A new chapter is about to be written in the history of India. Priyanka ji will file her nomination from Wayanad. Preparations have been made. She raises the voices of women and youth across the country. This voice will now echo in Parliament too."
On BJP criticising her candidature, he retorted, "Perhaps the BJP is unable to tolerate their loss in Ayodhya. They will soon lose in Nagpur too. They speak about Wayanad and Lakshadweep, I would like to tell the BJP that we are Indians and the whole of India is our home. We can go anywhere and contest from anywhere."
BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan on Wednesday accused Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of breaking his pledge and abandoning the people of Wayanad in Kerala following his decision to vacate the seat.
CR Kesavan told ANI, "For the INC, the 'Indira Nehru Congress', the people of Wayanad are like disposable curry leaves which they will use to enhance their dynastic 'Khichdi' and then they will mercilessly throw away this curry leaf... This by-election has been forced on Wayanad because Rahul Gandhi broke his pledge, betrayed his promise, and abandoned the people of Wayanad."
The Wayanad seat was vacated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi who retained the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha Constituency.
The by-poll in the Wayanad is scheduled to be held on November 13. (ANI)