Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav abruptly exit election rally in UP’s Phulpur as crowd turns uncontrollable

A stampede-like situation erupted in Prayagraj's Phulpur constituency when the crowd broke the barricades and almost approached the dais which forced Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to cut short their public meeting.

The workers of both parties went out of control and tried to get to the stage to meet Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav. The situation worsened when the crowd barged through the barricades making it difficult for the police to contain the mob.

Gandhi and Yadav did not address the people and had to abruptly exit the campaign rally which was organised in support of Amarnath Maurya, who is contesting from the Phulpur Lok Sabha seat on an SP ticket.

Explaining the situation, Congress leader Rewati Raman Singh said, "The crowd had become too big, and there weren't enough police officers, which caused the crowd to become uncontrollable and rush towards the stage. As a result, Akhilesh Ji and Rahul Ji had to leave without giving their speeches." 

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Singh said that the joint rally highlighted the strategic alliance between Congress and the Samajwadi Party.

"This is a strategy because both are in an alliance. The Samajwadi Party and Congress have an alliance," he said.

He then reacted to BJP's claim of winning more than 400 seats in the elections saying that such kinds of rallies showed what people exactly want.

"These rallies show what the people want. These people intend to change the Constitution, and they have already said so, which is why they are shouting '400 Paar'. The people themselves are fighting this election to save the Constitution and to protect reservations," Singh remarked.

The polling in the Phulpur constituency will be conducted on May 25, which is the sixth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) is contesting the Phulpur Lok Sabha seat in alliance with the Congress party on a 63:17 formula.

SP's Amarnath Maurya is in fray against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP's) Praveen Patel.

(With inputs from agencies)