"Betrayed people of Wayanad...": K Surendran after Rahul Gandhi writes letter to Wayanad voters

New Delhi [India], June 24 : Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party President K Surendran on Sunday reacted to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's letter to Wayanad voters and said that this is merely a "political gimmick", adding that Rahul Gandhi has betrayed the people of Wayanad.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday wrote a heartfelt letter to the people of Wayanad, the constituency that he is giving up to represent Rae Bareli in the Lok Sabha.
"This is nothing but a mere political gimmick. Rahul Gandhi has betrayed the Wayanad people already. He was always saying that Wayanad is my second home, my family. Now the intention behind that statement is clear. He brought his sister there, so he said all of this for his family members. This is also a gimmick, people won't believe him because he made many statements but is never true with that," said K Surendran told ANI.
He further said that the Bharatiya Janata Party will give a tough fight to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the by-polls.
"If Priyanka Gandhi was a crowd-puller or a big name then why did she not contest in Uttar Pradesh?. What happened in this Lok Sabha elections? Why Priyanka Gandhi was not considered in Raebareli or Amethi?... So this is a safe bastion. What Rahul Gandhi has done in Wayanad, the same thing is going to happen... So people will rethink this," he said.
The BJP leader said that the fight is between NDA and UPA in the Wayanad by-elections.
"We will fight with all strength and we will give a tough fight to Priyanka Gandhi (Vadra)... The left parties are saying that they don't want to contest, but they are contesting only because of the BJP... The real fight is between NDA and UPA, we will fight with our full strength in this election," he said.
Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote a heartfelt letter to the people of Wayanad and expressed deep gratitude for their steadfast support throughout his tenure as their Member of Parliament.
"I was a stranger to you and yet you believed in me. You embraced me with unbridled love and affection. It didn't matter which political formation you supported, it didn't matter which community you were from or which religion you believed in or which language you spoke," Gandhi wrote in the letter.
"When I faced abuse day after day, your unconditional love protected me. You were my refuge, my home and my family. I never felt for even a moment that you doubted me," he added.
"I will remember, the countless flowers and hugs you gave me. Each one given with such genuine love and tenderness. How can I ever forget, the bravery, beauty and confidence with which young girls would translate my speeches in front of thousands of people," he wrote.
Rahul Gandhi said that he is consoled by the fact that his sister Priyanka, will be there to represent Wayanad.
"I am confident that she will do an excellent job of being their MP if given an opportunity," he said.
"I am also consoled because I have a loving family in the people of Rae Bareli and a bond that I cherish deeply. My central commitment to both you and the people of Rae Bareli is that we will fight and defeat the hatred and violence being spread in the country," the Congress leader wrote.
"I do not know how to thank you for what you have done for me. For the love and protection you gave me when I needed it most. You are part of my family and I will always be there for each and every one of you," he added.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will make her electoral debut from the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.
Priyanka Gandhi will make her debut in a Lok Sabha bypoll with her brother Rahul Gandhi deciding to retain the Rae Bareli seat in Uttar Pradesh of the two he contested and won.
Rahul Gandhi, who contested from two seats -- Rae Bareli and Wayanad, won from both the constituencies.
For long years, Priyanka had preferred to stay away from the limelight while taking care of the family strongholds of Amethi and Raebareli, represented by Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi respectively.