Third gender group from Churu wishes Rahul poll win

By Anand Singh

New Delhi, May 12 (IANS) Congress President Rahul Gandhi was taken by surprise when a group of third genders from Rajasthan visited his residence, here on Sunday, to wish him and his party victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Kamla and three others followed the Congress chief as he came out of his residence at the Tughlaq Lane along with Ajay Maken, the party's New Delhi candidate and former Union Minister, to cast his vote.

However, the Special Protection Group (SPG) did not allow them to come close to Gandhi who walked over 600 metres to the polling booth at the NP Co-Ed Senior Secondary School in the Aurangzeb Lane area.

The group waited for Gandhi to come out after casting his vote, but were again out of luck as he was then surrounded by media persons. The Congress chief then invited media persons to his residence for an interaction.

Taking a cue, Kamla and her friends also walked along with media persons to his residence.

When asked, Kamla told IANS: "We have come from Churu in Rajasthan to bless our leader."

As to why they were backing the Congress, she said: "The Congress has always worked for the poor. We have come here to bless him and his party victory in this elections."

When Gandhi noticed Kamla and her friends, he came to interact with them. They gave him their blessings and also asked for some donation.

Gandhi asked to them wait for some time. They were served some refreshments, but no money was given due to the election code of conduct.

Voting for 59 Lok Sabha seats across seven states is being held on SUnday in the sixth phase. These include all the seven seats in the national capital where the BJP, the Congress and the AAP are in a triangular fight.

(Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in)