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Bhilai, May 18: On Friday, All India Congress Committee Chairman Rahul Gandhi sounded the bugle for the upcoming elections from Durg city. He conducted a mega road show “Sankalp Yatra” and travelled on road from Durg to Raipur. With this, Rahul Gandhi launched kicked off the election campaign in his own style. At the same time, he assessed the possible candidates for the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections. The INC ticket aspirants too left no stone unturned to display their strength during the Road Show. They arranged impressive ‘welcome’ for AICC President at various spots. Some of the supporters adopted innovative ideas for grabbing attention. Some of them succeeded in collecting crowd for showing their strength while many others failed in doing so.
Security Forces had made elaborate arrangements for ensuring smooth and congestion free movement of the road show. Only a few top leaders of Chhattisgarh Congress including Bhupesh Baghel accompanied Rahul in the chariot. The NSG team ensured compliance of strict protocol during the road show. About 700 jawans of District Police and Reserve Force were deployed for ensuring smooth conducted of Road Show.
Rahul embarked on the Sankalp Yatra at around 16:30 from Pt Ravi Shankar Shukla Stadium in Durg. His special bus reached Hindi Bhavan Triangle within a couple of minutes where Rahul garlanded the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. From here, RaGa’s convoy moved to Patel Square where the Gandhian scion paid floral tributes at the statue of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. From this spot, the Yatra took a u-turn and moved towards Raipur on National Highway.
Members of Kangla Manjhi Sena welcomed AICC President at Dr Rajendra Prasad Square. Members of District Congress Committee and supporters of MLA Arun Vora were present here in large number. At Malviya Nagar, AICC Member Deepak Dubey and his supporters welcomed the yatra. Deepak had managed to collect huge crowd to impress AICC President and establish himself as a strong probable candidate for Vidhan Sabha elections.
The scene at Bhilai SAF Lines was entire different from the normal days as huge number of villagers had gathered there. Citizens were surprised to witness such a large number of villagers in the middle of the city. As the AICC President was travelling only through the urban areas, some of the influential leaders of adjoining rural areas tried to display their strength from this spot. District Panchayat member Jayant Deshmukh and YC (Durg Rural) members accorded rousing welcome to Rahul Gandhi at SAF Lines.
The spot between SAF Lines to Nehru Nagar Square was occupied by Youth Congress wing led by Ankush Pillai and Vaishali Nagar Block Congress Committee led by former MLA Bhajan Singh Nirankari and his supporters. At Kosa Nullah Tool Plaza, Youth Congress team led by Mohammad Shahid welcomed the AICC President.
Congmen accorded impressive welcome at Supela Square where hundreds of supporters had gathered. At Chandra Mourya Square, Vaishali Nagar Youth Congress led by Amit Jain adopted an innovative style of grabbing attention. 18 Pandits blew shankh (conch) to welcome Rahul Gandhi amid chanting of mantras. Aarti was offered to the AICC President at this spot.
Bhilai Mayor Devendra Yadav displayed his strength at Power House Square where Rahul Gandhi stopped for few minutes and offered floral tributes at the statue of Dr Ambedkar. Thousands of people had gathered this spot to welcome Rahul. Congress Corporators and leaders of various wings were present here. The road show was accorded rousing welcome at Khursipar, Dabrapara, Old Bhilai, Charoda, Kumhari and various other spots.
