Daijiworld Media Network - Rae Bareli

Rae Bareli (UP), Sep 9: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who is on a visit to his parliamentary constituency of Rae Bareli, on Wednesday held a 'Janata Darbar' and heard grievances raised by local residents. Samajwadi Party (SP) workers also met Gandhi during the interaction.

A local resident who met Gandhi said he raised the issue of the poor condition of the Lucknow Road leading to ITI, which connects the Rae Bareli-Lucknow Highway with the Sultanpur Highway.

"There are huge potholes on that road despite NIFT and an institution like ITI being located there, and there is also a very large temple which is visited by a large number of people," he said.

He said two people had performed the 'bhoomi pujan' for the road and assured residents that it would be constructed soon, but despite considerable political discussion, the work had not begun.

"Rahul Gandhi has assured us that he will look into it," he added.

A local woman urged Gandhi to tour the city whenever he visits Rae Bareli and assess its condition so that residents could discuss basic civic issues with him. She said Gandhi assured her that he would look into the issues going forward.

SP leaders and workers also met the Leader of Opposition during the event.

Akhilesh Mahi, State Secretary of the Mulayam Singh Youth Brigade, urged Gandhi to facilitate the construction of a memorial and public square named after Rajendra Yadav, a martyr from Rae Bareli who was killed during the 1999 Kargil War.

Mahi said that although Rajendra Yadav had sacrificed his life in the service of the nation, neither a statue nor a memorial had so far been established in his name in Rae Bareli.

He urged Gandhi to facilitate the construction of the memorial and square in the martyr's honour and said he was assured of prompt action.

"Rahul Gandhi is a prominent leader and, with his support, the BJP would face a stiff challenge this time. The INDIA bloc would form the government with an absolute majority in Uttar Pradesh in the upcoming Assembly elections," Mahi said.

Office-bearers of the Mahila Congress also met Gandhi.

Shailaja Singh, District President of the Congress women's wing, met Gandhi to welcome him to Rae Bareli. Praising him for championing the cause of the youth during a student-focused event, she described him as the voice of the youth's future.

Anil Mishra, President of the Freedom Fighters' Descendants Organisation, submitted a memorandum to Gandhi demanding preservation of the sacrifices of the state's freedom fighters and martyrs. He also sought early completion of the unfinished beautification work at the Munshiganj Martyrs' Memorial.

Jyoti Behan from the Brahma Kumaris also met Gandhi and tied a 'rakhi' on his wrist.

A member of the organisation said they extended their best wishes to Gandhi on behalf of the Brahma Kumaris institution and people of the district.

"We hope that he continues to visit here and that the city keeps progressing. We also tied a 'rakhi' on his wrist, conveying our best wishes to him," the member said.

Meanwhile, Gandhi held a meeting with bullion traders on Tuesday night. The traders raised concerns over a nearly 50 per cent decline in gold and silver trade, saying their businesses were suffering as a result.

Gandhi reportedly assured them that the issue of increased GST on gold and silver would be raised in Parliament.

On the final day of his constituency visit on Wednesday, Gandhi also discussed development-related issues with officials during the 'Disha Meeting' held at Bachaav Bhawan in Rae Bareli.