Ahead of Punjab byelections, Rahul makes a ‘personal’ visit to Amritsar
Amritsar: Ahead of the Nov 20 byelections in the four Punjab assembly constituencies, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived here late Monday evening to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple.
Rahul Gandhi’s arrival in Amritsar was kept a closely guarded secret until the last minute, with even senior Congress leaders unaware about the details of his visit. While they were informed that Rahul was coming for a personal visit, they were not formally invited.
“We were notified shortly before Rahul’s arrival at Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport, where we received him,” said Ashwani Pappu, Amritsar district Congress president. Apart from Ashwani Pappu, Lok Sabha MP Gurjit Singh Aujla, former deputy CM O P Soni, Sunil Dutt, and Dinesh Bassi received Rahul at the airport.
Ashwani informed that after a brief stay at a private hotel, Rahul Gandhi would proceed to the Golden Temple.
Congress sources close to Rahul claimed his visit to the Golden Temple was a “personal” one and unrelated to politics. However, the timing of the visit suggest otherwise.
Rahul Gandhi likely to visit Amritsar todayCongress leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to make a personal visit to Amritsar on Monday evening. Sources suggest he will pay his respects at the Golden Temple during his brief stay. While no media interactions or formal meetings are planned, the visit’s political implications are hard to ignore, given the upcoming by-elections in Punjab’s four assembly constituencies.115411341
Courtesy : TOI
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