Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, arrived in Kota, Rajasthan, on Wednesday, where he said he was launching a new political campaign through an interaction programme with students. The visit also drew attention as former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot appeared together on the same platform after a long gap and were seen interacting warmly.
Congress leaders and workers welcomed Rahul Gandhi at Kota Airport. Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee President Govind Singh Dotasra, Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully, Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot and several other senior leaders were present during his arrival.
Before Rahul Gandhi’s arrival, Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot were seen conversing and smiling together in the airport lounge. Reports of political differences and public exchanges between the two leaders had surfaced in recent months. During the event, both leaders appeared engaged in cordial interactions. Other leaders present at the airport were also seen interacting in a relaxed atmosphere.
A large number of Congress workers gathered at the airport to welcome Rahul Gandhi. As he exited the airport, supporters attempted to move closer to him, prompting police intervention to manage the crowd. Security personnel faced challenges in escorting Rahul Gandhi’s convoy out of the airport premises.
Rahul Gandhi later reached a private hotel on Station Road, where he interacted with selected students. His main programme, titled “Chhatron Ki Goonj,” was held at Dussehra Ground. Only students were permitted to attend the event, while party workers were not allowed entry.
Addressing the programme, Rahul Gandhi said the campaign was focused on issues faced by students and challenges within the education system. He stated that the initiative aimed to raise concerns affecting students’ futures.
Rahul Gandhi said serious incidents had emerged in recent times due to increasing pressure on students, shortcomings in the examination system and mental stress. He described the situation as the result of a “broken system” and said the issue needed to be raised at the national level.
Before arriving in Kota, Rahul Gandhi shared a message on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, referring to student deaths and questioning the system.
He said the campaign was for students whose aspirations remain unfulfilled and whose families face profound loss. Rahul Gandhi also stressed the need for reforms in the education system and raised questions regarding the Central Government and the Ministry of Education. According to him, issues such as examination reforms, paper leaks and mismanagement require serious attention and resolution.
Kota has long been regarded as a major coaching and education hub not only in Rajasthan but across India. Thousands of students travel to the city each year to prepare for competitive examinations. Against this backdrop, Rahul Gandhi’s visit focused on bringing student-related issues directly into the political discourse.
Nearly all prominent Rajasthan Congress leaders attended the programme, including former ministers Shanti Dhariwal, Ashok Chandna and Divya Maderna. Their presence at the event was viewed as a message of unity within the party at a time when it is facing organisational challenges at both the state and national levels.
