Rahul holds road show in Rajasthan

Alwar, April 22 (IANS) Amid beating of drums, showering of flower petals, bursting of crackers and shouting of slogans, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday held a road show for his aide Jitendra Singh who is contesting from Alwar Lok Sabha constituency.

Singh, a union minister in the Manmohan Singh government, is facing a tough battle this time against the BJP's Mahant Chandnath.

Congress state president Sachin Pilot accompanied Rahul and Singh on the three km-long roadshow that passed through major areas of the city.

Singh, who belongs to the erstwhile Alwar royal family, is seeking a second term as MP from this constituency. In the 2009 Lok Sabha polls Singh had defeated Kiran Yadav of the BJP.

The road show which was expected to be completed in 45 minutes took almost double that time as Gandhi was greeted by a crowd of thousands on both sides of the road.

"Alwar has not seen this kind of show for years now. Enthusiastic crowd of thousands had gathered along the road since early morning where Rahul Gandhi was supposed to travel. As soon as they saw Rahul they shouted slogans, showered flowers on him and the SPG had a difficult time controlling the people who wanted to shake hands with him," said R.K. Yadav, a Congress supporter.

However, the BJP termed it a flop show and said that the Congress had to finish the road show early as there was a very small gathering.

"There was a crowd of only 3,000-4,000 during Rahul's road show...it was a complete flop show," a local BJP functionary said.

Alwar along with four other constituencies goes to polls April 24.