“Kerala Politics Not Superficial”: Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks Cause North-South Row, BJP Says “Dividing Nation”

He was used to a “different type of politics” when he was representing Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, the MP from Wayanad said.

After he delivered a speech at a rally in Kerala on Tuesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has stirred a controversy over his remarks differentiating politics in north and south. He was used to a “different type of politics” when he was representing Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, the MP from Wayanad said.

“For the first 15 years, I was a member of Parliament in the north. So I had got used to a different type of politics. And for me coming to Kerala was very refreshing because suddenly I found that people are interested in issues and not just superficially but going into detail in issues,” Rahul Gandhi said.

These remarks by the Gandhi scion came at the concluding rally of the ‘Aishwarya Yatra’, led by Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala.

LIVE: Shri @RahulGandhi addresses a public meeting in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. #RahulForAishwaryaKerala https://t.co/KA2s7abr8U

— Congress (@INCIndia) February 23, 2021

The Congress leader, recalling a recent interaction, said to crowd that he told students from the US how he “really enjoys” going to Kerala because of the “way you [people of Kerala] do politics”.

“If I might say so, the intelligence with which you do your politics. So, for me, it’s been a learning experience and pleasure,” Mr Gandhi said.

Union Minister Smriti Irani, slamming Mr Gandhi for his remarks, tweeted: “Ungrateful! The world says about them – One who does not have much knowledge blabbers more.”

एहसान फरामोश!

इनके बारे में तो दुनिया कहती है –

थोथा चना बाजे घना। https://t.co/3jsNYn6IPq

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) February 23, 2021

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar also criticised Mr Gandhi for his comments. Mr Jaishankar said: “I hail from the South. I am an MP from a Western state. I was born, educated and worked in the North. I represented all of India before the World. India is one. Never run down a region; never divide us.”

I hail from the South.

I am an MP from a Western state.

I was born, educated and worked in the North.

I represented all of India before the World.

India is one.
Never run down a region; never divide us.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 23, 2021

“Rahul Ji, everybody from Kerala, the Tapasthali of Sanatan Aastha to Uttar Pradesh, the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram has understood you. Divisive politics is your political rite. We see the whole of India as a mother, not in the north or the south,” Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath remarked.

श्रीमान राहुल जी,

श्रद्धेय अटल जी ने कहा था कि 'भारत जमीन का टुकड़ा नहीं, जीता जागता राष्ट्रपुरुष है'

कृपया आप इसे अपनी ओछी राजनीति की पूर्ति के लिए 'क्षेत्रवाद' की तलवार से काटने का कुत्सित प्रयास न करें।

भारत एक था, एक है, एक ही रहेगा।

भारत माता की जय

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) February 23, 2021