Rahul Gandhi to launch youth outreach in Prayagraj against paper leaks, exam irregularities

LUCKNOW: Congress leader and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will visit Prayagraj on July 10 as part of the party's nationwide campaign against paper leaks, examination irregularities and rising unemployment, with the programme also carrying political significance ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.The programme in Prayagraj, is among the first phase events announced by the Congress to highlight what it describes as a growing crisis confronting India's youth.According to AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, the campaign seeks to bring together students, job aspirants, youth organisations, educators and those affected by examination scandals and recruitment irregularities.The Prayagraj convention will be held between similar outreach events scheduled in Kota on June 17, Patna on July 11 and Delhi on July 14.The party plans extensive mobilisation through the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), Youth Congress and local organisational units. Outreach activities will include campus visits, interactions at coaching centres, universities and schools, as well as digital campaigns aimed at engaging students and job aspirants.Congress leaders said Rahul Gandhi will reiterate demands including decentralisation of NEET, abolition of examination fees, stringent action against those involved in paper leak rackets and greater accountability in the education system.

The party has also sought a comprehensive discussion in Parliament on issues affecting students and unemployed youth.While the visit is centred on youth-related concerns, it also carries political significance as Uttar Pradesh gears up for the next assembly elections. Gandhi has maintained a steady presence in the state over the past several months.Between Jan 20-21, the Rae Bareli MP visited his parliamentary constituency and addressed an MGNREGA Chaupal under the Congress' "MGNREGA Bachao Sangram" campaign.

On Feb 20, he appeared before an MP-MLA court in Sultanpur in connection with a 2018 defamation case.He was again in Uttar Pradesh on March 13 to participate in a Constitution-themed programme called Samvidhan Sammelan in Lucknow, where he commemorated Dalit leader Kanshi Ram on his birth anniversary.Most recently, in May (19-20), Gandhi visited RaeBareli and Amethi, where he inaugurated development projects, addressed public meetings, interacted with women and party workers, and laid the groundwork for the Congress' "Mission UP" campaign ahead of the assembly polls.