Rahul Gandhi walks PM Modi path, reaches out to students over dinner

There will be more such interactions with various groups, party leaders said. The interaction was recorded on video, which, party leaders said, would be used as part of the Congress’s campaign.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi during an interaction with students in New Delhi. (Source: PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)

DAYS AFTER Prime Minister Modi held the second edition of ‘’Pariksha Pe Charcha”, Congress president Rahul Gandhi held a similar meeting with a select group of students in Delhi. Rahul met seven select students over dinner at a Chinese restaurant in New Delhi area for an interaction, which party leaders said was the first of his “Apni Baat Rahul ke saath” outreach series.

There will be more such interactions with various groups, party leaders said. The interaction was recorded on video, which, party leaders said, would be used as part of the Congress’s campaign.

The interaction, as well as many casual walk-ins at many restaurants, are all seen as part of attempts by Rahul’s team to polish his image. Rahul walked in to a south Indian restaurant in an upmarket area of the capital the other day, surprising many diners.

But not many in the party, least of all its communication department, were aware of the well-choreographed interaction organised by Gandhi’s aide Nikhil Alva — who manages his social media accounts — and the party’s social media head Divya Spandana.

Those who attended the interaction said Gandhi had a free-wheeling discussion with the students, among them an LGBTQ activist, from Delhi, Assam, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The LGBTQ rights activist suggested that gender-neutral toilets be built for trans people in order to ensure they are not body-shamed.

The discussion, which went on for two hours, touched caste based discrimination, making education accessible to all, girls education and atrocities against Dalits.

Manoj C.G

Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape. Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis. The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage. Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting. Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics. National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections. Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum. Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital. Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief. Find all stories by Manoj C G here. ... Read More

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