While Rahul Visits Post-Ockhi Kerala, Modi Holds a ‘Roadshow’

While Rahul Gandhi met the families of those affected by Ockhi in Kerala, Modi held a ‘roadshow’ in Ahmedabad.

While Rahul Gandhi met fishermen affected by Cyclone Ochki in Kerala, Modi stood in queue in Sabarmati to vote in the second phase of elections. 

(Photo: Canva/The Quint)

Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, 14 December, visited some of the places affected by Cyclone Ockhi in southern Kerala, reported PTI.

Gandhi, during his visit to Poonthura in Thiruvananthapuram, said, “I was not here physically, but in spirit I was here. I have come here to pay respect to the people who have passed away,” reported ANI.

He also spoke about how it was the responsibility of the state and central governments to learn from these tragedies and come up with solutions to prevent them in the future, PTI reported.

When a tragedy happens, everyone must learn from the tragedy and avoid such a situation in future. We must have a better system of warning for the fishermen who are going to the sea.

Rahul Gandhi 

Rahul Gandhi meets families of fishermen affected by Cyclone Ockhi in Chinnathurai, Kanyakumari.(Photo: ANI)

Drawing a comparison between the sorry state that both farmers and fishermen in the country have found themselves in of late, he said there was a need for the fishermen, just like the farmers, to have a separate ministry that looks after their interest, reported PTI.

Gandhi added that he had wished to visit Kerala earlier and express his condolences to the families who lost loved ones, but could not due to matters concerning the Gujarat elections.

Rahul Gandhi meets the families of those affected by Cyclone Ockhi in Vizhinjam, Kerala. (Photo: ANI)

Some of you have lost sons, some of you lost husbands. This loss cannot be replaced... we will try to make your life as comfortable as possible.

Rahul Gandhi, as reported by PTI

Rahul Gandhi meets families of affected fishermen in Vizhinjam, Kerala. (Photo: ANI)

Gandhi also visited Vizhinjam and met the affected fishermen families. He assured them that as the main Opposition, the Congress would carry out its role to put pressure on the governments to ensure that everybody receives the necessary compensation, reported PTI.

"I am confident the Congress will play its role," he said.

Modi’s Post-Voting ‘Roadshow’ at Sabarmati

PM Narendra Modi arrives at Sabarmati Ranip in Sabarmati to cast his vote.(Photo: ANI)

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was employing the BJP’s version of being with the public and winning their favour, in light of the second phase of the Gujarat polls that took place on Thursday, 14 December.

Earlier in the day, Modi created quite a stir by standing in queue to vote in Sabarmati, since his residential address falls in the constituency, reported ANI. His 95-year old mother, Heeraben, also voted in Gandhinagar, reported NDTV.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stands in queue to cast his vote, on the day of the second phase of the Gujarat polls.(Photo: ANI)

After standing in queue, Modi cast his vote at booth number 115 in Sabarmati’s Ranip locality, reported ANI. 

As soon as Modi stepped out of the booth, he was instantly swarmed by other voters. In what seems to be an attempt to express his oneness and gratitude with the public gathered around him, Modi showed his index fingers with the voter’s mark, amidst many cheers – a move that the Congress called a ‘roadshow’ which “violates the model code of conduct.”