Despite Police Warning, Rahul Likely to Visit Amethi as per Plan

The district magistrate directed Rahul Gandhi to reschedule his visit in view of Muharram and Durga idol immersion.

Amethi District Magistrate Yogesh Kumar has requested Congress district president to reschedule visit of Rahul Gandhi, from 4 October to 6 October, in view of Muharram and Durga idol immersion.

“Majority of police force will be engaged in maintaining law and order in district till 5 October”, said the district magistrate in a letter to Congress.

However, Gandhi is likely to go ahead with his visit as per the schedule. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Gandhi’s Lok Sabha Representative said that there will be no change in his schedule.

Responding to the district administration’s direction, Uttar Pradesh Congress President Raj Babbar said that it was “murder of democracy”.

These are excuses. It’s unfortunate that an MP can’t go to his constituency on festivals. It’s a murder of democracy.

Raj Babbar, Uttar Pradesh Congress President

Senior Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Akhilesh Singh too accused the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in the state of "using tactics" to stop Gandhi from visiting his Lok Sabha constituency.

"The Uttar Pradesh government is worried and does not want Rahul to visit Amethi, fearing that he might raise issues directly related to the public. This scares the BJP," he said.

Singh added that the Yogi government was perhaps worried that Gandhi's schedule might "eclipse" the proposed visit by BJP chief Amit Shah and Union ministers Smriti Irani and Nitin Gadkari to Amethi on 10 October.

(with inputs from PTI and Hindustan Times)