₹2-crore pandal, 2000 cops, ₹10-lakh fireworks: Huge crowd awaits Rahul Gandhi in UP

Prayagraj (UP): Elaborate arrangements have been made for Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ (Voice of Students) event in Prayagraj of Uttar Pradesh.

Upon exiting the airport, party workers greeted Gandhi with resounding chants of “Rahul Bhaiya Zindabad”. The interaction is scheduled to begin at 6 pm at the KP College Ground, managed by the Kayastha Pathshala Trust.

The event encountered controversy earlier when the trust initially granted permission for the venue and later revoked it. The trust cited heavy rainfall and waterlogging as reasons for the cancellation, stating the ground was unsuitable for holding the function. Despite the muddy ground conditions, organisers created makeshift pathways, including a dedicated corridor for Gandhi's arrival, across the venue by laying plastic sheets and iron plates.

Congress leaders claimed that nearly two lakh students registered for the event, with an expected turnout of around one lakh participants. However, police authorities estimated attendance between 30,000 and 40,000 students. A massive pandal, constructed at an estimated cost of ₹2 crore, was erected for the event. Construction workers noted that major assembly work commenced on Friday following the initial venue dispute, with final preparations continuing through Saturday afternoon.

Congress leaders in Uttar Pradesh stated that fireworks worth ₹10 lakh were prepared to welcome Gandhi as he takes the stage. Organisers clarified that Gandhi and participating students will be the sole occupants of the stage. To facilitate transportation, free e-rickshaw services were arranged from the local railway and bus stations for students presenting valid institutional identity cards.

Heavy security deployment involving 2,000 officers

During the venue dispute, Congress held press conferences in New Delhi and elsewhere alleging that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the Uttar Pradesh government were attempting to derail the event. To prevent any untoward incidents, senior police officials deployed extensive security arrangements.

A force of around 2,000 police personnel has been stationed across the area, including three IPS officers, three ADCPs, eight ACPs, one and a half companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), five Quick Response Teams (QRT) and nine reserve units.