Raipur, Jun 21 (PTI) In departure from schedule, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday visited a roadside shop near Raipur airport where he relished coffee and snacks with senior party leaders after attending a party training camp.
He engaged in candid conversations, discussed issues concerning the people, and interacted warmly with locals, the party said.
Earlier in the day, the opposition leader participated in the party’s 10-day organisational training programme.
Before leaving for Delhi in the evening, Gandhi made an unscheduled stop at “The Snack Bar” while on his way to the Swami Vivekananda Airport.
Senior Congress leaders, including the party’s Chhattisgarh in-charge Sachin Pilot, former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, state Congress president Deepak Baij, former deputy chief minister T S Singh Deo and senior leader Charan Das Mahant, were seen having tea, coffee and snacks with Gandhi.
Ayan, who attended to Gandhi at the eatery shop, told PTI Videos that the Congress leader ordered coffee and a sandwich and spent around half an hour at the outlet.
“His behaviour was very nice. He spoke to us, shook hands, posed for photographs and then left,” Ayan said.
Earlier, Gandhi attended the state Congress’ Sangathan Srijan Prashikshan Shivir’ at a resort in Abhanpur town of Raipur district, where he spent nearly three hours interacting with party leaders, functionaries and others, a party leader said.
The training camp, being held from June 20 to 29 for District Congress Committee presidents, is aimed at strengthening the party organisation and deepening grassroots engagement, he said.
Upon arriving at the camp venue, Gandhi planted a sapling and conveyed a message of environmental conservation and sustainable development, he said.
He also visited an exhibition showcasing various public movements, campaigns and organisational activities undertaken by the Chhattisgarh Congress.
During the visit, state Congress chief Deepak Baij briefed Gandhi on the party’s activities, organisational outreach and agitations on public issues across the state, he said.
Gandhi addressed district Congress presidents for nearly one-and-a-half hours and also held separate meetings with senior party leaders, the leader said.
He also interacted with office-bearers of organisations working on the conservation of forests, land and water resources, he added.
The media was not allowed at the event.
Chhattisgarh Congress posted pictures of Rahul Gandhi and other leaders at the eatery on its Facebook handle.
“While departing from Raipur after his Chhattisgarh visit, Rahul Gandhi ji spent some warm moments with senior leaders, party colleagues, and members of the public at a tea stall near Swami Vivekananda Airport.
“Over cups of tea, he engaged in candid conversations, discussed issues concerning the people, and interacted warmly with locals,” the party said. PTI TKP NSK
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