Posters of Rahul as Lord Ram, Modi as Raavan sprung-up
Rahul Gandhi is visiting his constituency Amethi for the first time as Congress president. According to spokesperson Akhilesh Pratap Singh, it is a festive occasion as it wasn't just their MP who was visiting, "but the upcoming prime minister" as well. The welcome was enthusiastic, but a poster ended up creating controversy: Rahul Gandhi as Lord Ram pointing arrows at 'Raavan' Narendra Modi.
Poster showing Rahul Gandhi as Lord Krishna
All about the 'controversial' posters
The contentious poster bears an inscription along with the depictions of Gandhi and Modi as Ram and Raavan respectively. "Rahul Gandhi is Lord Ram's avatar, who will bring 'Rahul raj' ('Ram rajya') by winning the elections in 2019." In another poster in Lucknow, Gandhi is Lord Krishna, driving the chariot that apparently has 'Sudama' - party member Rahul Awasthi - sitting at the back.
Tradition apparently says newly-elected Congress president will win Amethi
"There is a tradition that once a Congress president is elected from Amethi, Congress gets a government at the Centre. This is an indication for us that in 2019, Rahul Gandhi will lead us to form a government at the Centre," Singh told FirstPost.
Gandhi on two-day visit to Amethi
Gandhi started on a two-day visit to Amethi today. He'll visit the Hanuman Mandir and will eat specially made khichdi on Makar Sankranti. Tomorrow, he will hold a roadshow towards Gauriganj, Jagdishpur and Mohanganj, before going back to Lucknow. Gandhi will be meeting with people and party workers on the ground. Workers plan to welcome him with drums and showering of flower petals.
