With mic down, Rahul Gandhi & Akhilesh Yadav exchange their perspectives on UP

LUCKNOW: As the mic system went out of order at the INDIA bloc public meeting in Phulpur, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav got down to exchange their perspective on current political situation in India in general and in Uttar Pradesh in particular.

This impromptu "exchange" that was ideated by Rahul Gandhi, took place on the stage of the joint public meeting of the two leaders, was recorded and released on social media shortly thereafter. The exchange happened as excited supporters inched closer to the stage, desperate to shake hands or even touch the two leaders.

The conversation took place with Rahul Gandhi asking Akhilesh about the prospects of INDIA bloc in UP and Akhilesh responds that the alliance is dominating on 79 seats and the fight is on only one seat – Kyoto. On Rahul's query on why he was referring to Kyoto, Akhilesh explains that Prime Minister Modi had promised to transform Kashi into the Japanese city of Kyoto.

Striking an emotional chord, Rahul asked Akhilesh about how his father late Mulayam Singh Yadav had inspired him and in turn Akhilesh talked about the association of Gandhi family with Phulpur and Allahabad. “People called Netaji (Mulayam), 'dhartiputra' (son of soil) because he understood the need and sentiment of the poor and the downtrodden,” Akhilesh said.

Describing the synergy between SP and Congress, Rahul said the best part of this partnership between the two was that the leaders and cadres had come together like never before.

Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav leave UP rally hastily amid stampede-like situation

Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav cut short their rally in Prayagraj due to a stampede-like situation and potential security threat in Padila, Phulpur Parliamentary constituency. They later faced a similar situation in Mungari, Karachhana. Rahul lost Amethi to Smriti Irani in the 2019 general elections.

Stampede-like situation as Akhilesh, Rahul leave rally without speaking

Chaos at INDIA bloc rally in Phulpur with Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi. Akhilesh's post on X predicted historic win for INDIA bloc candidates and defeat for BJP in Phulpur and Allahabad seats. Video shared on official social media handles showed crowd control challenges as security staff surrounded Rahul and Akhilesh.

Educational qualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

Born on June 19, 1970, Rahul Gandhi, son of Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi, has a background marked by academic achievements, work at the Monitor Group co-founded by Michael Porter, and management of Backops Services Private Ltd. before entering and succeeding in Indian politics. He also pursued an M.Phil. at Trinity College, Cambridge.