To shake off the `pro-Muslim’ tag of the party and to send a message of being truly secular, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi visited St Joseph’s Cathedral at Hazratganj , Nadwatul- Ulema and a Dalit youth hostel at Raidas temple before starting his `road-show’ in lucknow on Friday afternoon.
He was also scheduled to stop for a darshan at Hanuman Setu temple but carried on with his road-show as the doors to the temple had been closed in the afternoon.
After interacting with student and assuring them of all possible help, Rahul directed Rajya Sabha MPs to give Rs 40 lakh for the immediate renovation of Ambedkar Hostel. During his roadshow, Rahul is also expected to stop for a darshan at Yahiyaganj gurudwara.
On a 2500 km-long Deoria to Delhi Kisan Yatra, Gandhi, Rahul reached lucknow from Rae Bareli on Friday afternoon and met Shia leaders. He later visited the St Joseph’s Cathedral in Hazratganj and lit a candle there before heading to Nadwa to meet students. During his 11 minute stay there, the Congress vice- president met All India Muslim Personal law Board chairperson Maulana Rabe Hassan Nadvi and other clerics. Sources at Nadwa said that Maulana Rabe Hassan presented ‘ Itra (perfume) to Rahul and blessed him sayingthat he should dedicate himself for the country.
After the meeting, Nadwa representative Maulana Hamza Nadvi said that the institution’s gate is open for all parties including the BJP. He however refused to comment on any party but added that the situation in UP and the country was not good.
later, Rahul went to a hostel for Dalit students at Raidas temple and after findingthe poor condition of the building announced to give Rs 40 lakhs from MPlAD fund for it’s repair.
Earlier, a Shia delegation led by cleric Kalbe Sadiq met Rahul Gandhi at the VVIP guest house and demanded greater representation ofthe community in the organisation and poll arena.
“ In 17 Assembly segments in UP, the Shia community has a say but still in 2012 polls, the Congress fielded a lone candidate in former MP Noor Bano’s son from Rampur,” the Maulana told Rahul.
“Even in the past, Congress had ignored the community even when the last Muslim MlA from lucknow Ali Zakeer was a Shia. We demand more institutions for the Shia youths in lucknow as there is absence of any good college,” said the Maulana. However, the All India Shia Personal law Board boycotted Rahul Gandhi and refused to meet him saying that the Congress had always neglected the community during their regime.