Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has abruptly halted his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Varanasi and rushed to his Wayanad constituency in Kerala. The former party presidents presence was urgently required there, said Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh.Mr Gandhi was leading the Yatras second phase through Uttar Pradesh. On Saturday, he toured Varanasi and visited the Kashi Vishwanath temple along with state Congress leaders. But he had to suddenly leave for Wayanad, where escalating human-elephant conflicts have claimed three lives in 17 days.The latest victim, an eco-tourism guide named Paul, died on Friday from injuries sustained in an elephant attack. This triggered massive protests across Wayanad district on Saturday, with all major parties calling for a shutdown.Shops and businesses remained closed during the hartal, with vehicles off the roads. In Pulpally, protesters turned violent, damaging a forest department vehicle and tying atop it a cow killed in a suspected tiger attack.Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra Paused While Rahul Gandhi Was Urgently Required in Wayanad!#News #Topindiannews #BharatJodoNyayYatra #Rahulgandhi #Wayanad #India #Congress #Varanasi pic.twitter.com/eg9suZ1enX— Top Indian News (@topindiannews_) February 17, 2024Mr Gandhis urgent visit comes a day after Pauls death at Kozhikode Medical College. Last week, another local resident named Aji was trampled to death by an elephant in Mananthavady, sparking public anger.With wild elephants repeatedly claiming lives, there are growing demands for permanent solutions to the man-animal conflicts in the Wayanad region. The Congress leader will likely meet with local authorities and families impacted by the attacks.The Bharat Jodo Yatra aims to improve Congress nationwide connect with people. It will resume from Prayagraj on Sunday without Mr Gandhi, who will rejoin after assessing the situation in his constituency.
