Warangal: The Congress’ double act of deploying siblings Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to Telangana for the launch of the Vijayabheri Bus Yatra may prove to be a masterstroke in the poll race, as the public gathered in large numbers to hear the duo speak, with the party going the whole nine yards in bringing colour to Mulugu on Wednesday.
This was also the first meeting of the AICC leaders since the announcement of the Telangana poll schedule by the Election Commission of India.
Adivasis of Ramanujapuram village in Venkatapur mandal of Mulugu district accorded a warm, traditional welcome to Rahul and Priyanka, as they arrived to offer prayers at the Ramappa temple.
Accompanied by TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy, Rahul and Priyanka, after offering prayers at the Sri Rudreshwara Swamy temple in Ramappa, took in sights of rare sculptures engraved into the temple walls, with temple guide Vijya Kumar explained the historic significance.
After the temple visit, they launched the bus yatra and addressed the public at the venue in Ramanujapuram village.
Congress activists from surrounding districts, especially youth leaders, flocked to the village to take part in the meeting and also tried to take pictures with their party idols. However, when restricted by the security, they went around in bikes raising slogans of “Jai Congress”, “Jai Rahul Gandhi” and “Jai Revanth Reddy”.
The Congress’ poll candidates for Mulugu, Bhupalpally and Narsampet, Seethakka, G. Satyanarayana and D. Madhava Reddy also mobilised their supporters and crowds from their respective constituencies, adding a sheen to the meeting.
Villagers, including visitors from nearby areas, were excited to take part in the public meeting, if only to see Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on the same stage.
While the crowd was rapturous in support and vocal in applause, there was rapt attention and silence when Priyanka Gandhi started her speech.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Kanakavva, an elderly woman, said that she came from Bhupalpally district, covering a long distance, to see “Indiramma’s granddaughter Priyanka Gandhi.”
Happy just to catch a glimpse of Priyanka Gandhi, who, Kanakavva said, looked exactly like Indira Gandhi. “Even though I did not understand what she was saying, I felt like Indiramma was speaking in the meeting,” she said.
In her speech, Priyanka Gandhi explained to the people the six guarantees of the party in detail, although it was expected that she would announce a women’s declaration.
The police officials ensured a tight security cordon, with Z-category protection, under the supervision of SP Gouse Alam, by declaring the entire Mulugu and Bhupalpally districts as no-flight zones.
