Mayawati government releases Rahul Gandhi, Congress announces protest

GREATER NOIDA: The Mayawati government released Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, hours after he was arrested by the UP police along with other party leaders at Bhatta Parsaul village late on Wednesday night.

The Congress general secretary was taken to Kasna police station from where he was released.

Rahul later left for Delhi along with his supporters.

The Congress has announced to stage protests across Uttar Pradesh against the Mayawati government's anti-farmer policies.

Earlier, the state police arrested Rahul Gandhi after re-imposing prohibitory orders in Bhatta Parsaul area.

"Rahul Gandhi has been arrested under Sec 151 CrPC and will be presented before a Sub-Divisional Magistrate tomorrow," Inspector General of Police (Meerut Range) Rajnikant Mishra said.

Gandhi was taken away from the dharna site in Bhatta Parsaul Village in a grey Tata Safari to an undisclosed location.

As he was arrested, the Amethi MP smiled to the large battery of media before getting into the vehicle along with AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh and Firozabad MP Raj Babbar.

Rahul said the Congress was fighting for the cause of farmers and this fight will continue despite his arrest.