A near-stampede situation erupted at the joint public rally addressed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday. The leaders, out for the poll campaign ahead of the fifth phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh's Phulpur, had to rush out of the event owing to security reasons as the mob of thousands turned uncontrolled.
Despite repeated requests by the authorities, the jubilant crowd of supporters went uncontrolled and broke the barricades in an attempt to reach the stage. The visuals of the location depict a swelling crowd going haywire and breaking barricades to get a close glimpse of the leaders. Significantly, several reportedly complained of injuries during the incident.
After leaving Phulpur, the leaders arrived at the second rally location in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. A similar 'stampede like' situation was also witnessed at this rally, with an excited crowd breaking the barricades and attempting to reach the stage. However, the leaders continued with their addresses here.
Speaking at the rally, the Congress leader held a stern attack on the BJP. The former Congress President Rahul Gandhi said, "Today is a fight to save the Constitution. People of BJP-RSS are continuously attacking the Constitution. But I want to tell them that no power can destroy the Constitution."
On the Agniveer scheme, reiterating the Congress's stand, Gandhi said they will end the 'Agniveer Yojana' and the old recruitment process will be restarted in the army.
Further, the SP chief, addressing the rally, highlighted that their government is working for the benefits of farmers unlike the NDA. "Farmers' income has not doubled in the Modi government; farmers are committing suicide. But we have prepared a plan for MSP guarantee and loan waiver for the farmers," he said.
