Youth Congress goofs up Rahul media meet

New Delhi, Jun 3 (UNI) Mediapersons today boycotted a 'press conference' of AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi after he refused to speak to waiting scribes at Teen Murthi Bhavan, in an apparent goof-up by the office-bearers of the Youth Congress.

About 100 journalists from the print and electronic media were in position at the entrance of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) on the basis of an SMS message saying Mr Gandhi would address the media at the conclusion of the National Executive of the Indian Youth Congress at 1730 hours.

The SMS, sent by IYC Spokesperson Madhumita Chakraborty, was received by mediapersons between 1710 and 1720 hrs.

Though the scribes reached there on time, IYC Spokesman Pradeep Kumar said Mr Gandhi would reach there at 1800 hrs and that he would first address the press before speaking at the concluding function of the National Executive.

However, when Mr Gandhi came there at 1840 hrs, he was dismissive of the waiting mediapersons and walked into the NMML building, in a clear indication that the press conference was arranged by the Youth Congress office bearers without his knowledge.

He did not even look at the reporters despite many of them asking him in loud voice to speak to them.

When the embarrassed scribes were about to leave, Mr Pradeep Kumar came and told them to remain there for a little while more so that Mr Gandhi could talk to them.

However, the newsmen were not ready to take a chance and decided unanimously to boycott his press conference and left the place.

UNI SH RP BST2000