Rahul's roadshow hit with supporters, dull with voters

Varanasi, May 1 (UNI) The roadshow of charismatic Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in the holy city today drew an overwhelming response from party workers and supporters, but did not attract much response from the general public.

The Amethi MP, perched atop an open jeep and flanked by Congress candidates was showered with rose petals and marigold garlands. Mr Gandhi was also gifted keepsake photographs of Lord Kal Bhairav, besides a 'Rudraksha' chain and a colourful 'dupatta' bearing religious slogans in old city coming under Varanasi (South) assembly segment.

Prior to that, the roadshow travelled through relatively empty streets only dotted with Congress workers and supporters in patches in Varanasi (North) assembly segment. The 23-km roadshow's last stretch -- through Varanasi (Cantt) seat -- was a disappointment for the Congress leaders who had worked round the clock for the last few days to ensure a memorable success for the roadshow that has drawn large crowds in other parts of Uttar Pradesh.

''It is partly due to security restrictions and partly due to scorching heat that the roadshow seemed to be a dull affair in some parts of the city, especially parts of Varanasi (Cantt) constituency,'' said Milan Srivastava, the spokesperson for Mohammed Sheikh Shamim, the party candidate from Varanasi (North) seat.

The roadshow started from Hotel Radisson at 1010 hrs and ended at 1345 hrs at the Benia Bag ground after travelling through Muslim dominated Peeli Kothi, Adampura, Madanpura, Shivala and Nai Sarak areas besides Maidagin, Chowk, Baansphtak, Sonarpura, Assi, Lanka, Sunderpur, Kakarmatta, Mehmoorganj, Rathyatra, Luxa and Godowlia localities.

While the roadshow was welcomed by huge crowd of onlookers and Congress workers eager to catch a glimpse of their young leader in Muslim dominated Adampura, Peeli Kothi (Varanasi North) and Madanpura (Varanasi South) there were only a handful of supporters waiting to welcome the Congress MP in Nai Sarak area, which partly lies in Varanasi South and Varanasi Cantt seats.

The much-awaited Congress event which was welcomed with drum beats and musical bands in other parts of the city had only a handful of college girls waiting with posters of Mr Gandhi to shake hands with their young leader at Mehmoorganj in Varanasi Cantt segment.

MORE UNI