LoP Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme to be held today at Prayagraj’s KP Ground 

NEW DELHI: Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is scheduled to participate in the Congress party’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Prayagraj on Saturday, where he is expected to interact with a large gathering of students at the KP Ground.

The event had recently become the subject of controversy after the KP Trust revoked permission for the programme to be held at the venue. However, the permission has now been restored, allowing the event to proceed as planned.

According to the statement, LoP Gandhi will depart from Delhi at 2 p.m. on August 8 and travel to Prayagraj, where he will interact with students at the KP Ground from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

This comes after the KP Trust announced on Thursday night that it had decided to allow the Congress to hold the programme, subject to certain conditions. The decision came amid a political row, with the Congress accusing the Uttar Pradesh government of attempting to prevent the event from taking place.

The party asserted that regardless of the challenges posed by the BJP-led state government, the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme would be held as scheduled.

Earlier, at a joint press conference in New Delhi, Congress leaders, including Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam and MPs Kishori Lal Sharma, Tanuj Punia and Imran Masood, alleged that the BJP was unsettled by LoP Gandhi’s efforts to raise issues concerning students and youth through the initiative.

In Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai reiterated that the party would move ahead with the programme despite the temporary withdrawal of permission by the KP Trust. He also shared LoP Gandhi’s itinerary for the visit.

According to Rai, Gandhi will leave Delhi on a special flight at 2 p.m. and arrive at Prayagraj Airport at around 3:30 p.m. He will then travel to Anand Bhavan before proceeding to the KP Ground for the student interaction programme.

The Congress leader is scheduled to address and engage with students from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Following the event, he will leave for the airport and is expected to return to Delhi on a special flight at around 9:30 p.m.

Congress MP Tanuj Punia alleged that the BJP government was attempting to stop the programme because it fears growing support for LoP Gandhi among the youth. He added that the Congress would continue to stand with students and young people and remain committed to raising issues affecting them.