AMETHI: Unfazed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's vitriolic remarks, Congress General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi visited a dalit basti here.
    
Gandhi, on a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency, paid a surprise visit to Ban Purva Gaderi village late on Friday night and interacted with villagers for over two hours. He also dined at a dalit's house there.
    
The villagers were taken by surprise by the blaring horns of Rahul Gandhi's convoy, which arrived at 11 pm on Friday night.
    
The young MP requested two villagers, Lakhpati and Sumitra, for dinner after which the entire village rushed to welcome him.
    
Sumitra later said that while the dinner was being prepared, Gandhi interacted with the villagers in the 'chaupal' inquiring about their problems.
    
He told the womenfolk to work unitedly for their progress saying the real power of the country rested with them.
    
He assured Draupdi, Puja Manshavati and Roshni, all suffering from some ailments, of all possible help.
    
After having his dinner, Gandhi rested for some time before departing around 0130 am.
    
During his earlier tours also, the Nehru-Gandhi family scion had paid similar surprise visits to villages and dined there.