Wayanad, April 4: Moments after Congress President Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination papers from Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Yogi Adityanath, questioned secularism of the Congress party for allying with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). In a tweet, Yogi Adityanath said the Congress remains secular despite its links with the Muslim League, which according to him divided India in 1947.

"Rahul Gandhi asked members of IUML not to carry their party flag because it will make Congress's voters in Uttar Pradesh," Yogi Adityanath claimed. "They (Congress) remain secular after allying with Muslim League, but we (BJP) become communal despite its 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas' moto," he said. The IUML is a key ally of the Congress-led United Democratic Front in Kerala. Reacting to Adityanath's comments, Rahul Gandhi asked the BJP leader to talk on jobs and farmers' distress. Rahul Gandhi Files Nomination Papers From Wayanad Lok Sabha Seat, Priyanka Accompanies Him.

"Frankly speaking, what Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath say doesn't concern me. Let's talk about jobs and farmers," Gandhi told reporters. On contesting Lok Sabha polls from Wayanad, apart from Amethi, the Congress chief said he wants to send a message of unity. "South India is feeling alienated. There is an assault on culture and languages of South India from Nagpur," Gandhi said referring to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Rahul Gandhi to Contest From Wayanad: Furious CPM Vows to Defeat Congress President in Lok Sabha Election 2019.

"I have come to Kerala to send a message that India is one, be it North, South, East or West. My aim is to send a message. There is a feeling in South India that the way Centre, Modi Ji and RSS are working its like an assault on culture and languages in South," Gandhi said.

In Wayanad, which is a safe seat of Congress, Rahul Gandhi will face a challenge from the Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate PP Suneer and Thushar Vellappally, president of BJP-ally Bharat Dharma Jana Sena. In the last two Lok Sabha elections, M I Shanawaz of the Congress won the seat, defeating the CPI candidate.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 04, 2019 01:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).