MANANTHAVADY: Congress chief and UDF candidate of Wayanad Rahul Gandhi reached Thirunelly in memory of his father Rajiv Gandhi. He offered bali for his father and grandmother Indira Gandhi. He also offered bali to the soldiers killed in Pulwama. In 1991 Rahul had reached here along with leader K Karunakaran to immerse the ashes of his father. He found time to come here to show respect.

He offered prayers at the Thirunelly Temple. His helicopter landed at the SAUP School Grounds. He spent some time with the activists gathered there. After touching Papanashini, collected prasadam from Thirunelly Temple and then left for the election campaign. Special pujas were held in the temple. Rahul left the capital city last night and stayed at the guest house in Kannur. He left for Wayanad at 9.30 am this morning. He reached the temple by car after alighting at the helipad four kilometres away from the temple. Security was tightened by the SPG and Kerala police at Thirunelly where there is a lot of Maoist presence.

Rahul will speak at the election conventions in Batheri, Thiruvambady and Vandoor. Though Rahul had reached here earlier, he had not met the voters here. He had conducted a road show when he reached to file nomination papers along with his sister Priyanka Gandhi. Congress leaders and police informed the temple about the visit of Rahul only last evening. Security was strengthened at the places later.