Uttar Pradesh: Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav return without giving a speech in Phulpur as crowd turns unruly. Watch video

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav had to return without giving speeches at a joint poll meeting in the Phulpur area on Sunday after supporters breached barricades to reach the dais.

Police sources reported that many Congress and SP supporters had gathered at the venue for the rally. Upon Yadav's arrival, the crowd surged forward, causing a "stampede-like" situation as they broke through the barricades to approach the stage.

A video clip shared on the official social media handles of both parties captured individuals on the stage urging the supporters to step back, but their appeals went unheeded.


Subsequently, Gandhi and Yadav held a brief discussion before departing from the stage under the escort of their security personnel.

The joint rally was organized in support of Amarnath Maurya, who is contesting on an SP ticket for the Phulpur Lok Sabha seat.

Congress candidate from Prayagraj Ujjwal Raman Singh's father Revati Raman Singh says, "The crowd was out of control and there was not enough police. The people came to the stage... Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav had to return without giving a speech in Phulpur... There was a miss in the management. There were not enough police, maybe they had been somewhere on election duty... There is going to be a change in Allahabad. There is a change in Delhi every time Allahabad makes a change..."

Samajwadi Party sources indicated that Akhilesh and Rahul opted against speaking at the rally after receiving advice from security officials due to the disturbance.

Later, they participated in another election rally in Prayagraj. Neither the SP nor the Congress has released any statements regarding the rally.