After Amethi, Rahul makes waves in Lucknow

LUCKNOW - Returning after a three-day tour of his Amethi constituency, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi created waves in this Uttar Pradesh capital Wednesday when he walked into a popular restaurant to the surprise of all.

On his way back from Amethi around noon to catch his flight from Lucknow, the Congress general secretary chose to turn into the city and halted at the first eating joint that came on his way.

Rahul Khanna, the owner of Aryan restaurant, could not believe his eyes when the Gandhi scion stepped into the place.

The people present there were as much amazed and did not wish to miss the opportunity to have a word with the leader.

“It is my birthday. I was feeling a bit low as some of my friends could not make it. When I suddenly noticed Rahul Gandhi in our midst, my day was made as he not only spoke to us but also happily agreed to get himself photographed with us,” 27-year-old Saumya Misra told IANS.

Housewife Priyanka Tandon, who had organised a party at Aryan, was so overwhelmed by Gandhi’s appearance that she and her friends simply forgot about their plans and just hovered around the charismatic Congress leader.

“He is so down-to-earth, polite and decent. We still cannot get over the fact that we were face-to-face with one of the top VVIPs of the country,” Tandon said after Gandhi had left the place.

While the chefs were busy preparing his order, Gandhi made most of his stay by freely interacting with those in the restaurant, that was forced shut its doors as it was packed to capacity.

Even mediapersons, who made a beeline as the word spread about the unannounced visit, had to wait outside.

After a glass of juice, Gandhi feasted on a paneer kathi roll, a chicken roll and crispy potatoes, followed by fresh lime and soda. He also expressed his delight as a gourmet in the visitor’s book before bidding farewell.

He made a brief stopover at the Raj Bhawan across the road before heading for the airport to catch his flight to Delhi.

Earlier in Amethi, he visited the local Eidgah and exchanged Eid-ul-Azha greetings with members of the Muslim community.