Rahul Gandhi visits Hanuman temple in Amethi

Even after the Gujarat polls, Congress President Rahul Gandhi's new-found penchant for visiting Hindu temples continued in Uttar Pradesh when he paid obeisance at Lord Hanuman temple on Monday at Bachchrawa, before entering his parliamentary constituency Amethi.

A few BJP local leaders and workers tried to show him black flags and indulged in clashes with Congressmen at Salon where Rahul addressed a 'nukkad sabha'. Police used mild force to separate the clashing groups. A few BJP traders raised anti-Rahul slogans and downed their shutters in protest against the alleged attack on BJP workers.

Rahul also took part in a 'khichdi puja' on the occasion of 'makar sankranti' at Salon in his mother's parliamentary constituency Rae Bareli.

A poster war between Congress and the BJP also ensued on his visit. While in one of the poster, Congressmen described Rahul as Lord Ram and Modi Ravana and predicted 'Rahul Raj' in 2019. In another poster, Rahul was shown as Lord Krishna and UPCC President Raj Babbar as Arjun. The BJP workers, on the other hand, countered the Congress by putting up posters to welcome "a missing MP in his parliamentary constituency".

Unfazed by the BJP protest and black flags, Rahul alleged that both Modi and Yogi governments had failed to deliver results. "Both talks big and do lip service instead of working for the development of the farmers, youth and the poor both governments are at the disposal of the rich and corporate houses. Development has come to a halt and unemployment is on the rise," he charged.

Amidst big applause, Rahul promised to set-up the Mega Food Park in Amethi when Congress returns to power. The project was withdrawn by the Modi government. "Both Modi and Yogi governments are pursuing politics of hatred to divide people and the country. We will set-up the Food Park and finish other projects started by the Congress government," he promised.

Rahul is on a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency, first after becoming AICC President. He was given a warm welcome by UPCC President Raj Babbar, senior party leaders and hundreds of workers at the Amausi Airport from where he went by road to Amethi.

On way, he asked his convoy to stop at a tea stall in Nigoha where the AICC president had 'kulhad ki chai', hot boiling 'pakauris' and crispy samosas. He also had a 'chai pe charcha' with local people to take political pulse of the area.

As his entourage neared Bachchrawan, border to Rae Bareli and Amethi, Rahul again signaled to stop. Sporting a 'bhagwa' (saffron) scarf, he straight away went to the famous Lord Hanuman temple at Churuwa. He paid obeisance, sought blessings of Lord Hanuman and accepted 'ladoos' as 'prasad' before crossing over to his parliamentary constituency.

At several places, people were queued up to congratulate him for taking over party's reigns in his hands. At Harchandpur, he stopped at a school, had a chat with students and gave them autograph. He was given rousing welcome in Amethi, Munhsiganj etc.

After a night halt in his parliamentary constituency, he will be accorded welcome on Tuesday at Mushafirkhana, Gauriganj, Jais, Jagdishpur and after addressing a meeting at Tiloi he will return to Delhi.