First-time voter gifts Rahul Gandhi his portrait in Kerala

An 18-year-old first-time voter, who called out to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi at an election rally in Wayanad, Kerala on Wednesday, is elated she could meet him and hand over his portrait which she had drawn.

Waving and holding aloft the Congress leader's portrait, Rincy shouted 'Rahul ji' to draw his attention as he concluded his election speech.

Gandhi walked towards the young girl and accepted the portrait and was seen talking to her.

(Courtesy: Manorama news)

Rincy, who hails from Mukkam, has finished her 12th standard and is studying for the medical entrance examination.

"I am a first-time voter and will give my vote to Gandhi who is prime ministerial candidate," she told television channels.

After Rahul Gandhi addressed the election rally at Thiruvambady, Rincy said she saw him walking towards the crowd and called out to him. Rincy said she was surprised he heard her and accepted her gift.

Women and children were seen in large numbers in all the rallies addressed by Gandhi in the last two days in Kerala.

Rahul Gandhi's contest from Wayanad had created a flutter in the pre-election political scenario, with leaders of the BJP including his Amethi challenger and Union Minister Smriti Irani as well as PM Modi accusing him of 'running away' from the age-old bastion due to fear of defeat.

READ | Rahul Gandhi's Wayanad Account Created Way Back In 2018? BJP Claims 'running Away' From Amethi Was Pre-planned

The Congress president filed his nomination from the seat on April 4, 2019.

The election in Wayanad and all other constituencies of Kerala will be held in the third phase of Lok Sabha Elections on April 23, 2019. Rahul Gandhi will be contesting against NDA candidate and President of Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) Thushar Vellappally.

READ | "My Brother, My Truest Friend...": Here's Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's Message For Wayanad As Rahul Gandhi Files His Lok Sabha Election Nomination Papers

(With inputs from PTI)