UP miffed with Centre: Rahul journey

LUCKNOW: AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s unannounced train journey from Gorakhpur to Mumbai — to get a first-hand experience of migrants from eastern UP and Bihar — has left the Mayawati government angry as the state government was not informed about it.

As a Special Protection Group protectee, Mr Gandhi’s travel plans are to be shared with the concerned state police. The development caught the state police unawares. It plans to write to the Centre to underline security hazards posed by such ``adventurism.’’

Additional director-general, law and order, Brij Lal said that the state police got to know about Mr Gandhi’s arrival in Gorakhpur only on October 18, the day he arrived in a chartered flight and left by train, travelling in sleeper class. He said that he would consider writing to the Centre regarding not being informed of the visit.

The state government and senior state Congress leaders were unaware of Mr Gandhi’s tour plans. After arriving in Gorakhpur on a chartered plane, the AICC general secretary boarded the 2451 Gorakhpur-Lokmanya Tilak Superfast Express at 8:45 pm for the 36-hour journey to Mumbai.

Gorakhpur lies in the heart of eastern Uttar Pradesh which along with neighbouring Bihar and is known to send maximum migrants to Punjab and Mumbai, for seeking livelihood. Congress leaders who learnt of his visit said that though Mr Gandhi had reservation in the sleeper class, he preferred to spend time in the general compartment.