Rahul Gandhi storms Hyderabad; unfurls national flag at Charminar and charges Modi-KCR with having a direct line

He walks through the busy streets of the city as thousands follow him

Massive crowds jammed several parts of the city as Rahul Gandhi entered the core city as a part of his Bharat Jodo Yatra and hoisted the national flag at the historic Charminar, and later addressed a street corner meeting where he charged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao with having a direct line where the latter is directed on his next move by the former.

Mr. Gandhi, who entered the city early in the morning turned up at the historic Charminar in the evening to unfurl the national flag exactly at the same spot where his father, the late Rajiv Gandhi unfurled it 32 years ago before starting his Sadbhavana Yatra for peace and harmony in the country. Mr. Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra is also for the same cause.

As emotions engulfed him, he paid floral tributes to his father’s photograph on the stage. En route Charminar, he was welcomed by the party workers who showcased their love for him through banners and party flags adorning every pole and the building.

Mr. Gandhi, who reached Charminar from Laad Bazar road, was taken over by the beauty of the ‘four-minarets’ monument — the Icon of Hyderabad — and clicked a picture of it. Slogans like ‘Rajiv Gandhi Amar Rahe’ and ‘Bharat Jodo’ rent the air throughout the programme.

TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy, AICC secretary K.C. Venugopal, former Union minister Jairam Ramesh, senior leaders V. Hanmanth Rao, T. Rammohan Reddy, Anjan Yadav were among present.

After unfurling the national flag, Mr. Gandhi continued his walkathon in the busy streets crossing Pathergatti market, Mozamzahi market and Nampally reaching the Necklace road on the banks of Hussain Sagar where he paid tributes to his grandmother and late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Addressing the huge gathering at the Necklace Road, Mr. Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao have a direct line and Mr. Modi orders and KCR dances to his tune. Don’t be under the impression that they are different, he said amidst loud cheers from the gathering.