The Amethi district authorities have asked Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to re-schedule his proposed visit to his Lok Sabha constituency citing the law and order situation.
Mr. Gandhi was scheduled to visit Amethi from October 4 to 6.
“To maintain law-and-order, a majority of the district police force will be on duty. Hence, there will be great inconvenience in maintaining peace. Therefore, it is requested that the tour be re-scheduled on any date after October 5,” a letter written by the Amethi administration to the district Congress chief said.
The letter, signed by District Magistrate Yogesh Kumar and Superintendent of Police Poonam, added, “Through a letter (dated September 30), it was informed that a visit of MP Rahul Gandhi is proposed from October 4 to October 6. However, on October 5, Durga Puja/Dussehra and Muharram will culminate at several places.”
Reacting sharply to the letter, senior U.P. Congress leader Akhilesh Singh accused the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government of “using tactics” to stop Mr. Gandhi from visiting his Lok Sabha constituency.
“The Uttar Pradesh government is worried and does not want Rahul to visit Amethi, fearing that he might raise issues directly related to the public. This scares the BJP,” he said.
Hitting out at the Congress, State BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said, “As an elected MP, Rahul has failed to work for his people and many of the development schemes promised by him are lying incomplete.”