Posters speak before speeches: Rahul, Akhilesh projected as INDIA captains; oppn leader to visit Rae Bareli today | Lucknow News

RAE BARELI: Posters were put up across Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli on Tuesday ahead of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency.The posters project Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav as the captains of INDIA for 2027 and 2029, symbolising the leadership of the INDIA bloc in the coming years, according to news agency ANI.Rahul Gandhi is on a two-day visit to Rae Bareli to address a public meeting against the scrapping of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and to hold discussions with senior party leaders.On Tuesday, Gandhi will hold an ‘MGNREGA Chaupal’ in Rohaniya, Unchahar. He is also scheduled to inaugurate the Premier League T20 cricket tournament organised by the Youth Sports Academy Rae Bareli at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in IIT Colony, along with the inauguration of works under the MPLADS (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme). During the visit, he will also call on the Municipal Corporation President at their residence.On the second day, the Congress MP is slated to hold a meeting with senior party leaders at his guest house.Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee President Ajay Rai said a comprehensive programme has been drawn up to protest against the new law, with the party planning to organise 30 Mahapanchayats across the state. He added that Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge may also participate in some of these Mahapanchayats.The Congress had earlier announced a nationwide three-phase agitation titled “MGNREGA Bachao” following the Centre’s newly enacted VB-G RAM G Act.As per the party, Phase 2 of the campaign, which began on January 12, will continue till January 30. “Panchayat-level chaupals will be organised across all gram panchayats, and a letter from the Congress president will be delivered,” Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said.He added that Vidhan Sabha-level nukkad sabhas and pamphlet distribution are also planned. “On January 30, Martyrs’ Day, the party will hold peaceful sit-ins at the ward level with MGNREGA workers,” he said.“Phase 3 will begin on January 31 with district-level MGNREGA Bachao dharnas at DC and DM offices till February 6. This will be followed by state-level gheraos of Vidhan Sabha buildings from February 7 to February 15 and four zonal AICC rallies across the country between February 16 and February 25,” he added.