Politics should not be done over flood relief work: Rahul Gandhi

PUDUCHERRY: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today said politics should not be done over flood relief work in rain-ravaged Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and the focus should be on reaching out to as many people as possible.

"I think that it is important that instead of doing politics at this time, we (should) try and make sure that the people of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are given the relief that they need," he said in response to queries over relief operations here and neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

The Congress leader, who visited flood-affected areas of Rodierpet, Shanmugha Nagar and Eachankaadu, also handed over relief material to affected people before proceeding to neighbouring Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu.

He said "right now" the effort should be on giving help to as many people as possible.

Gandhi, who arrived from Delhi by a special flight, drove directly to the rain-affected areas to meet people.

He said he was visiting Puduchery, besides Tamil Nadu, to see for himself "what has happened" following the torrential rains.

"I wanted to meet the people," he added.

Senior Congress leaders including AICC General Secretary Mukul Wasnik and party leaders from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry accompanied him.