DMK Leader TKS Elangovan and Congress Leaders Urge PM Modi to Declare Wayanad Landslides a National Calamity
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India] August 11: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader TKS Elangovan has called for the Wayanad landslides to be declared a national calamity. He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Wayanad, stating, “He (PM Modi) went there after everything was over. He says that it is not a national calamity. I think Kerala is not a part of this country.”
Elangovan questioned the government’s disaster relief efforts, asking why funds are collected if such disasters are not recognized as national calamities. He said, “Is it not a calamity that an entire village is spoiled, and there are hundreds of deaths in that area? What else is a national calamity? I don’t understand.”
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also demanded that the Wayanad tragedy be declared a national disaster. Tharoor said, “I hope that with PM Modi’s visit, the government will now make it a point to go ahead and declare this a national disaster so that the appropriate level of assistance can follow.” Congress veteran Harish Rawat echoed this sentiment, stating, “The matter of Wayanad is a natural disaster and there should not be any politics on it. The PM has given a good message by keeping Wayanad his priority. This message will strengthen even further if he declares it a national disaster.”
Prime Minister Modi visited Wayanad on Saturday, conducting aerial and on-the-ground surveys. He assured that the central government is supporting the state government in all assistance and relief work. PM Modi emphasized the need for new long-term schemes to support those affected, especially children who have lost their families. He expressed confidence that the state government will play a crucial role with support from the Centre.
Over 300 people lost their lives after massive landslides hit Chooralmala and Mundakkai of Wayanad on July 30 following incessant rainfall.
Doubts Revealed
DMK -: DMK stands for Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. It is a political party in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
TKS Elangovan -: TKS Elangovan is a leader from the DMK party. He is involved in politics and represents his party’s views.
Congress -: Congress, also known as the Indian National Congress, is one of the major political parties in India.
Shashi Tharoor -: Shashi Tharoor is a leader from the Congress party. He is also a well-known author and former diplomat.
Harish Rawat -: Harish Rawat is another leader from the Congress party. He has served as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He is the head of the government and represents the country.
Wayanad -: Wayanad is a district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is known for its beautiful hills and forests.
landslides -: Landslides are when large amounts of earth, rocks, and debris slide down a slope. They can be very dangerous and cause a lot of damage.
national calamity -: A national calamity is a very serious disaster that affects a large part of the country. It requires special attention and help from the government.
disaster relief efforts -: Disaster relief efforts are actions taken to help people and areas affected by disasters like floods, earthquakes, or landslides. This can include providing food, shelter, and medical care.
central government -: The central government is the main government of a country. In India, it is based in New Delhi and is responsible for the entire nation.
long-term schemes -: Long-term schemes are plans and programs designed to help people over a long period of time. These can include building new homes, creating jobs, and improving infrastructure.
