Thieves steal mobile phones, cash at Priyanka Gandhi's grand roadshow
To mark Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's plunge into active politics, Congress planned a grand roadshow in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on Monday, where hundreds of party cadres descended to catch her glimpse. Amid the cheering and sloganeering, thieves had a field day as they stole mobiles and cash from the supporters. Subsequently, the supporters complained about the theft at Sarojininagar police station. Here's what went down.
The supporters realized their phones, cash, and wallets were stolen only after they had walked for 10 odd kms. District vice-president of the Congress in Kannauj, Pushpendra Pandey said he and 15 others joined the roadshow near Sringarnagar Metro station. When the cavalcade stopped at Burlington crossing, they learned they were robbed. Pickpockets stole Pandey's phone, Rs. 9,500 and his wallet, he told TOI.
While some reports claimed more than 15 phones were stolen, others asserted as many as 50 were picked by thieves. Pandey revealed rather than taking their complaint seriously, police mocked them. The workers then staged a sit-in protest outside the station against the Yogi Adityanath-led police. SHO Sarojininagar Triloki Singh said they have received a complaint and will conduct an inquiry before lodging case.
Priyanka was accompanied by her brother Rahul Gandhi (also Congress' President) and Jyotiraditya Scindia, her counterpart for UP West, in the roadshow. After being made a Congress functionary, this was Priyanka's maiden visit to the politically important state. But despite the noise surrounding her big debut, Priyanka relegated herself to the shadows with RaGa doing most of the heavy lifting.
Atop a special vehicle, the three leaders waved and smiled for their supporters. The roadshow ended at the party office in Lucknow where RaGa addressed the crowd. He spoke about reviving Congress in UP and said the party will fight tooth and nail. RaGa said he respected BSP Chief Mayawati and SP President Akhilesh Yadav "but Congress will form a government in UP in 2022".
In an attempt to galvanize the workers, RaGa said Congress can't afford to be weak in Uttar Pradesh. He said 'street fighters' need to be given responsibility. "The entire team which stands here has the responsibility to ensure Congress govt is formed in the state. In UP, BJP should go out and Congress should be formed," RaGa said, expressing confidence in Scindia and Priyanka.
While RaGa was seen at his energetic best, the highlight of the roadshow was Congress' supporters shouting the popular slogan Chowkidaar Chor Hai. When RaGa said Chowkidaar, cadres completed the sentence for him. Staying true to his habit of mentioning Rafale Deal in his speeches, RaGa said, "PM Modi ended the corruption clause to give Rs. 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani."
उत्तर प्रदेश की गली गली में शोर है....... pic.twitter.com/tr1Wd4JLYQ
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) February 11, 2019
