It's press vs Rahul Gandhi at MP village

Jhabua, MP, Apr 28 (UNI) Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi was today annoyed over being suddenly confronted by mediapersons and photographers at Sagdiyan village of this tribal-dominated district of Madhya Pradesh bordering Gujarat.

''Who alerted them,'' the Amethi MP immediately sought to know from selected Congress leaders accompanying him on his 'Discover India' tour.

Reprimanding a photographer who was in the process of clicking him, Mr Gandhi said, ''do not create hurdles in my work.'' Neither the administration nor the district Congress leaders had the official information of Mr Gandhi's visit to this district where he reached this morning from Hoshangabad district of the state.

It was learnt that a voluntary organisation monitored the making of his programme under which he gathered details, especially about the water situation, at several villages.

Though both the press and Congress leaders -- in general -- were kept away from the tour, the absence of Union Minister Kantilal Bhuria -- who hails from Jhabua -- raised eyebrows.

Mr Gandhi also visited Mohankor, Raipuriya and Unnai villages in a total span of five hours. At Unnai, he went to a church where he was welcomed by children.

UNI XC-AC SP AS2005