Rahul-Akhilesh rally disrupted with stampede-like situation

Cong, SP workers rush to the stage breaking barricades; addressing another rally in Prayagraj, both leaders raise save Constitution, save democracy’ pitch

- NAMITA BAJPAI

CONGRESS leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday had to rush out of a public meeting in Phulpur parliamentary constituency in UP's Prayagraj district when a ruckus broke out in the crowd and a stampede-like situation led to security threats to the leaders.

Consequently, the INDIA bloc leaders left the public rally venue in Padila block without addressing the crowd as both the Congress and SP workers went out of control and reached out to the leaders at the stage breaking the barricades.

Initially, both Akhilesh and Rahul repeatedly requested party workers to calm down and settle but their appeals went unheeded. Police and security personnel struggled to control the unruly crowd.

After making multiple appeals to the crowd, Rahul and Akhilesh held a brief discussion among themselves and left the venue to avoid any lapse in security.

Visuals from the event showed broken barricades after the leaders left the venue and the crowd dissipated.

From Phulpur, Rahul and Akhilesh reached Mungari block in Karachhana assembly segment for the second rally under the Allahabad parliamentary constituency.