Thiruvananthapuram, April 3 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared a video on social media of himself enjoying a hearty breakfast with party leaders in Kerala recently, while discussing the ground realities in connection with the state assembly elections.
The elections in Kerala are scheduled for April 9.
In the video, he sits down for breakfast with Congress general secretary K C Venugopal, Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan, and some party candidates, and holds discussions with them on issues such as brain drain, lack of jobs, and the proposed amendments to the FCRA.
"During the breakfast, my UDF colleagues and I had a very interesting conversation about the realities of the Kerala election. It's clear that Kerala deserves change – a complete overhaul of the education system, real opportunities for young people, and a government that supports its citizens in their old age," the former MP from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency said on 'X'.
"The UDF offers renewed hope for the people of Kerala – our team is strong, united, and ready to lead," he added.
During the breakfast meeting, Satheesan informed Rahul about how the Congress-led UDF had been "exposing and criticizing" the government for a long time.
"For the first time, we are offering alternatives where the government has failed," he said.
Rahul then asked about the government's failures in education, to which Satheesan remarked that the courses in universities were outdated, resulting in brain drain from the state.
"If this continues, within five years, Kerala will become a retirement home," he contended.
Congress MLA from Angamaly, Roji M John, claimed that most arts and science colleges in Kerala have low enrollment and many vacant seats, "because nobody wants to study there."
He said this has resulted in the migration of young people.
Venugopal expressed the view that the education system needs to be revamped.
Rahul then referred to the lack of job creation in Kerala and across the country, saying that employment opportunities now exist in China, its neighboring countries, and Vietnam, "because they are the ones producing everything."
"Our businesspeople, like the Adanis and Ambanis, don't want to produce anything. They just want to sell Chinese products. They avoid manufacturing because the moment they do, parties like Congress gain strength as labor comes into the factories," Rahul contended.
"They prefer factories in China and selling the products in India, rather than building factories here," he added.
Rahul and the party leaders also discussed the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act with Venugopal, who called it "a hijacking bill."
"If you receive a small donation from abroad, the entire organization can be taken over. This is a clear design of their ideology. The Waqf Act was amended to take over Muslim land, and now they are targeting Christian properties," he alleged.
Besides the serious discussions on poll issues, the Congress leaders shared some light moments, praising Rahul for singing a line from a popular parody song about CPI(M) leaders’ alleged involvement in the gold theft at the Sabarimala temple.
The Congress leaders said that the media had been sidelining the issue, but with him singing it, the matter has once again come to the forefront.
Another light moment came when Rahul asked why the Congress leaders were having a heavy breakfast, which included fish and mutton.
Satheesan replied, "Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to have lunch later in the day."
Rahul then remarked, "I know you have lunch every day. Kerala people never skip it," which drew laughter from everyone present.
