Time fishermen have ministry at central level: Rahul to Cyclone Ockhi victims

''I think it is time that fishermen also have their ministry at the central level so that their difficulties can be dealt with quickly and immediately,'' said Rahul Gandhi at Vizhinjam in Kerala addressing a long-pending demand of the fisherfolks demand for a separate ministry.

The Congress president-elect also expressed sympathy for all those who lost their family members due to the deadly cyclone and said that understood problems that fisherfolks face.

After a gruelling election campaign in Gujarat, Congress president-elect today arrived in Thiruvananthapuram to visit the villagesadversely affected by cyclone Ockhi.

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''I was not here physically but in spirit, I was here. I have come here to pay respects to the people who have passed away,'' said Rahul Gandhi said earlier at Poonthura nearThiruvananthapuram.

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''I understand that fishermen suffer tremendously. You suffer every day andhave a troubled life. Every now and then you face a situation like this. I express my sympathy to all those who lost their family members,'' he said.

Rahul Gandhi was earlier scheduled to visit the cyclone-affected areas on 1st December. But after met officials' forecast of deteriorating weather condition, it was called off.

Poonthura, Vizhinjam, Chinnathurai, Thaikkad, Palayam are some of the areas affected by the cyclone.

Earlier Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor‏ tweeted that he was at the Thiruvananthapuram airport to welcome Rahul Gandhi who, he said, will visit some of the areas most severely affected by cyclone Ockhi.