Wayanad (Kerala) [India], April 3 (HBTV): Congress leader and Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday submitted his nomination papers for the Wayanad parliamentary constituency in Kerala for the Lok Sabha elections, starting from April 19 in seven phases across the country.   

His sister and party's general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also present with him.   

The Congress leader filed his nomination after leading a roadshow at Kalpetta in Wayanad.    

"It has been an honor for me to be your Member of Parliament. I don't treat you and think of you like an electorate. I treat you and think of you the same way I think of my little sister Priyanka. So in the houses of Wayanad, I have sisters, mothers, fathers and brothers. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that," Rahul Gandhi said while addressing the gathering.  

Thousands of people, including UDF leaders and workers, turned up at Kalpetta here to welcome Rahul Gandhi. Accompanied by his sister Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul held a road show from Kalpetta to the Civil Station.  

Rahul Gandhi said he is always ready to bring Wayanad's issues to the attention of the nation and world. 

"There is an issue of man-animal conflict, medical college issue. I stand with the people of Wayanad in this fight. We have tried to pressure the government on the medical college, I have written letters to the CM. But unfortunately, they have not moved forward. I am absolutely convinced that if we have a government in Delhi and when we get a government in Kerala, both of which we will do, we will resolve these issues," he said.  

Kerala, one of the few states where the Congress still has a strong presence, is fielding 20 parliamentarians for the Lok Sabha.

(ANI) This is a syndicated news feed. HBTV has edited it for clarity.