‘Karshaka Sangamam’ at Peravoor Town, Kerala

Peravoor (Kerala): The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi letting US agriculture products into Indian markets with a JCB digging into the foundations of a building, which will lead to collapse of the economy.

Addressing a farmers’ convention (Karshaka Sangamam) in Peravoor Town on February 26, 2026, Shri Rahul Gandhi said that Modi had sacrificed the country’s farmers to protect himself and his friend Gautam Adani, who is facing a criminal case in the US.

Agriculture remains backbone

‘The Congress leader argued that while considerable attention is paid to sectors such as information technology (IT), agriculture remains the backbone without which no development is possible. He said that farmers across the country consistently raised concerns about man-animal conflicts, lack of cold storage facilities, and failure to receive fair prices, including Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

He asserted that the Congress will not allow the country’s farmers to be sacrificed, come what may. He said that the Indo-US trade deal was stuck for four months and nothing was moving. He disclosed that he had learnt from multiple sources in the government that nobody wanted the American agriculture products to be sold in Indian markets. However, he noted, all of a sudden, the deal was signed and Modi agreed to everything, with the US President Donald Trump threatening him about the Epstein files and the case against Adani.

On Epstein Files

The Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi disclosed that there were 30 lakh more Epstein files pending, which had not been released so far. He said that these files have information about the Prime Minister of India. He said that Hardeep Puri and Anil Ambani’s names in the Epstein files were revealed only to target and threaten Modi, and he succumbed to the threat.

Second reason, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said, was the case pending against Adani in the US. Again, he added, the case against Adani was actually aimed at the financial architecture of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP. “In order to protect himself and the financial foundation of the BJP, the Prime Minister sacrificed the farmers of the country and allowed American agriculture products like soybean, corn and fruits to be sold in Indian markets”, he added. This, he explained, will hit the foundation of the Indian economy like a JCB if it is used to dig the foundations of a building. He pointed out that agriculture is the foundation of the Indian economy, and if it is dug, the entire structure would be shaken. He said that Modi allowing American agriculture products in India was like a JCB digging into the foundation of a building, which will make it collapse eventually.

Expresses confidence about UDF forming next government in Kerala

Referring to upcoming Kerala elections, Shri Rahul Gandhi predicted that the next government in the state will be that of the United Democratic Front. He said that the government will act like a service provider for the farmers. “Instead of the farmers coming to the government for help, the government should go to them like a service provider”, he declared amidst thumping applause.

Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi also said that the UDF government would address the issue of man-animal conflict with sensitivity and a technology-driven approach, bringing together the best experts to develop an effective solution to the problem.

The senior Congress leader also sought inputs from the people for the Party’s Manifesto for Kerala, which is being currently prepared. He told people that they should reach out to the Manifesto Committee and provide their inputs so that these can be incorporated in the Manifesto.

The farmer’s convention was attended by the large numbers of farmers and Congress workers of the state, AICC General Secretary (Org) Shri K.C. Venugopal, State In-charge Ms. Deepa Dasmunsi, PCC President Shri Sunny Joseph, Shri K. Sudhakaran, Shri Shafi Parambil, Shri Martin George, Shri V.A. Narayanani, Shri Chandran Thilekeri, Shri Sony Sebastian, Shri Karim, Shri P.T. Mathew, Father Mathew Taekamai were present.

Shri Rahul Gandhi, Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lay foundation for houses for landslide survivors in Wayanad

Kalpetta (Kerala): Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi and AICC General Secretary and Wayanad MP Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on February 26, 2026, launched a special housing project for the landslide survivors. There could be nothing more reassuring and no greater relief for the survivors of the Wayanad landslide tragedy than Shri Rahul Gandhi and Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra standing with them like their own family.

You are our family

Speaking on the occasion, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi said that the ceremony was a message to affected families that they were not alone in their process of recovery and healing. “For us, it is not a one-day event. You are our family and we are going to stand with you whenever you need us,” he said. Saluting the spirit of the people of Wayanad, Shri Rahul Gandhi said that they never lost their spirit, courage and compassion despite the devastating landslides that struck Mundakkai and Chooralmala.

Recalling his visits to the affected areas in Wayanad, he described witnessing entire villages washed away and the scale of destruction caused by the landslides. He said that he remembered meeting a young boy who had lost his entire family in the tragedy and had tried to save them.

“You lost a lot, but you never lost your spirit. More important than spirit and courage, you never lost compassion for other people,” he said, noting that the tragedy would remain a lifelong process for those directly impacted.

Shri Rahul Gandhi explained and said that there had been procedural and land-related complexities that delayed the housing project but expressed hope that construction would now be completed swiftly.

He also thanked leaders present on the dais and acknowledged the support of United Democratic Front partners, including the Indian Union Muslim League, for assistance in the rehabilitation efforts.

Reiterating his solidarity with families who lost loved ones, homes and property, Shri Rahul Gandhi assured them, “We are all with you, we are going to stand with you and we are going to protect you.”

Addressing the gathering, Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that the housing initiative aims to provide 1,100 sq ft homes along with eight cents of land to each beneficiary.

The AICC General Secretary and Wayanad MP said that 3 acres and 24.5 cents of land have been acquired for the project, with an additional 2 acres and 18 cents in the process of purchase. Negotiations for another five acres have also been completed, she said, expressing hope that the houses would be delivered at the earliest.

Dedicating the project to those who lost their lives in the tragedy, Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that the ceremony marked the beginning of a sustained effort to help families rebuild their lives. “You are truly family to us, and we will continue to stand by you through this entire process,” she said.

Recalling her visit to the affected areas soon after the disaster along with her brother Shri Rahul Gandhi, she said that the scale of devastation - the loss of homes, livelihoods and family members - had left a lasting impression. She lauded the unity displayed by residents across religious and social lines, saying their courage and solidarity stood out amid the destruction. She said that she and other Members of Parliament had repeatedly raised the issue in Parliament and met the Union Home Minister seeking national disaster status for the calamity. Letters were also written to the Prime Minister and protests were held to press for support, she added.

Financial support for small businesses

Highlighting additional relief measures, Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that small financial assistance would be extended to affected shopkeepers and small business owners to help them restart their livelihoods. The initiative, she said, was aimed at enabling families to regain economic stability after their businesses were wiped out.

The Wayanad landslides in 2024 were one of the deadliest disasters in Kerala’s history, claiming nearly 400 lives. A series of landslides in the early hours of July 30 had wreaked havoc in Punjarimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala and Vellarimala, displacing over 2500 people.