Sri Vijaya Puram, April 26: The Leader of the Opposition, Shri Rahul Gandhi as assured to an Andaman delegation led by Shri TSG Bhasker made his visit to the A&N Islands today. Gandhi has plans to visit the Great Nicobar Island to see for himself the devastation that may arise due to the Great Nicobar Island Project (GNI), as requested by the tribals of the island.
Addressing a gathering of Congress Workers at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Auditorium today, Shri Rahul Gandhi praised the unity in diversity of the Islands where people from different faith, cultures and background coexist with respect for each other. He said that the A&N Islands is a true example of Mohabbat Ki Dukan.
He also said that he made a mistake by not visiting the Islands during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. It should have been Indira Point, then Kanyakumari and Kashmir, he said. Whenever there is a second Bharat Jodo Yatra, it will begin from these Islands, he assured.
Describing his campaign Mohabbat Ki Dukan, Gandhi said that it is not politics by a fight of Vichardhara. Whoever does not believe in the ideology of Mohabbat Ki Dukan is free to leave Congress, he said adding that the bad water will be removed and the fresh water will strengthen the true leaders of the party.
Having been in the islands for a couple of hours, Gandhi said that he can sense injustice being done to the people of A&N Islands. He pointed at the basic needs which the islanders are deprived of and also touched the burning issue of establishment of Deemed University in the Islands and the GNI Project. The natural beauty of the islands is the asset of the islanders. There should be a sustainable tourism that should only benefit the Islanders and not outside companies, he added.
Gandhi also said that he has plans to visit the Great Nicobar Islands but foresees hurdles to be placed before him.