Prayagraj: With the controversy over the venue resolved, the Congress on Thursday intensified preparations for Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme in Prayagraj, claiming that nearly two lakh students have registered for the event and over one lakh are expected to attend the interaction at KP Ground on August 8.
The party said students and youth from neighbouring districts are also expected to participate in large numbers, while preparations at the venue are in full swing. Congress leaders described the programme as the beginning of a broader movement against alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, rising unemployment and the increasing contractualisation of government jobs.
The Congress has mobilised its organisational network across Prayagraj and adjoining districts for the event. The party's OBC Department held a meeting to coordinate the movement of students to the venue. The meeting was attended by Congress OBC Department national chairman Dr Anil Yadav, Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam and state OBC Department president Manoj Yadav, who reviewed mobilisation plans.
Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to interact with students, research scholars and university youth during the programme. The Congress said the discussion would focus on issues such as examination paper leaks, recruitment delays, unemployment and contractual and outsourcing-based employment, which it claimed have deeply affected the younger generation.
The event was thrown into uncertainty a day earlier after the Kayastha Pathshala (KP) Trust withdrew permission for the use of the KP College ground despite having earlier accepted the booking and a fee of Rs 51,000. The trust cited a 2025 Allahabad High Court order restricting the ground to educational and sports activities, along with waterlogging following recent rains, as reasons for cancelling the booking.
The Congress strongly protested the decision, alleging that the BJP government was attempting to prevent Rahul Gandhi from interacting with students. The party maintained that the programme would be held regardless of the cancellation, while Rahul Gandhi accused the government of trying to suppress the voice of students and youth.
Following discussions between the district administration, the venue management and Congress leaders, permission was restored on Thursday, allowing the programme to proceed as scheduled.
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The BJP rejected the Congress allegations, maintaining that the issue was related to the venue provider's decision and administrative considerations rather than political interference.
The Congress views the Prayagraj programme as a major youth outreach initiative ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. By placing issues such as examination irregularities, unemployment and delayed recruitment at the centre of the campaign, the party is seeking to connect with students and first-time voters in one of the state's most politically significant regions.
