Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s surprise decision to go to Ramabai Nagar during his day’s visit to the city on Friday has sent the residents of Ghatkopar (East) into a tizzy.
Nearly 1,200 passes have been issued to young men and women from the slum colony, which shot to infamy when an SRP platoon opened fire on a mob on July 11, 1997, killing 10 people.
Gandhi plans to have an hour’s interaction with these youths. He will go to Ramabai Nagar immediately after the Youth Congress function at Bhaidas Hall, Vile Parle (West), in the morning.
Upon reaching the colony, he will first garland a statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar, architect of the Constitution.
Youth Congress leaders say Ramabai Nagar was selected specially for Gandhi because the eastern suburbs have always been neglected by central leaders visiting the city. “It has been Rahulji’s effort to personally visit poor and slum pockets in every state,” one Youth Congress politician said. “Previously Congress leaders have visited Dharavi, but the suburbs off the Eastern Express Highway have always been ignored.”
Gandhi wants to interact with the youths and listen to their issues. “Rahulji wants to understand the problems that slum youths face regarding admissions, educational avenues, studying in slums, their living conditions, unemployment, and opportunities to find jobs or entrepreneurship,” the Youth Congress leader said.
According to the police, Rahul Gandhi will be accompanied by chief minister Ashok Chavan, Mumbai’s guardian minister Naseem Khan, city Congress chief Kripashankar Singh, the five MPs from Mumbai, and all legislators from the city.
“Rahulji wants to reach out to those who are deprived,” said Naseem Khan. “He wants to encourage the educated and the privileged to work for the poor.
