Rahul Gandhi to attend ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Prayagraj today

New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will participate in the Congress’ ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme at Prayagraj’s KP Ground on Saturday.

Gandhi is scheduled to leave Delhi by a special flight at 2 p.m. and arrive at Prayagraj Airport around 3:30 p.m. He will visit Anand Bhavan before proceeding to the KP Ground, where he will interact with students from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The programme was briefly embroiled in controversy after the KP Trust withdrew permission for the event. However, the trust later restored the permission, subject to certain conditions, allowing the programme to go ahead.

The Congress had accused the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government of trying to prevent the event. The party had maintained that the programme would be held as scheduled despite the alleged attempts to stop it.

At a joint press conference in New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam and MPs Kishori Lal Sharma, Tanuj Punia and Imran Masood alleged that the BJP was unsettled by Gandhi’s efforts to raise issues concerning students and youth.

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai also reiterated that the party would proceed with the programme despite the temporary withdrawal of permission by the KP Trust.

Congress MP Tanuj Punia alleged that the BJP government was trying to stop the event due to fears over Gandhi’s growing support among the youth. He said the Congress would continue to stand with students and young people and raise issues affecting them.

After the programme, Gandhi is expected to leave for the airport and return to Delhi by a special flight around 9:30 p.m.

(Inputs from IANS)