After Mt Kailash pilgrimage, 'Shiv bhakts' greet Rahul with bol bam

It was a different kind of welcome for Congress president Rahul Gandhi in his Lok Sabha constituency Monday when hundreds of Congress supporters dressed as 'Kanwars' or devotees of Lord Shiva chanted "bol bam" to receive him.

Fresh from his recent Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, the Congress chief was presented a portrait of Lord Shiva by the 'Shiv bhakts' at Fursatganj.

In mobile footage that went viral on social media, the Congress president can be seen with his forehead smeared with sandalwood paste and a tilak or a red mark.

With a scarf around his neck, he took part in a 'puja' amidst chanting of mantras, party leaders said.

He was greeted with posters hailing 'Shiv bhakt Rahul Gandhi' on his first visit here after undertaking the arduous 12-day pilgrimage to Mt Kailash, considered the abode of Lord Shiva.

Gandhi arrived at Lucknow's Amausi Airport and drove to Amethi, his Lok Sabha constituency.

He is here on a two-day visit during which he will also take part in the district vigilance and monitoring committee meeting and hold talks with party leaders and workers.

The Congress chief had announced his intention to undertake the pilgrimage after a mid-air scare when his plane plunged hundreds of feet during the Karnataka election campaign in April, and left for Mt Kailash on August 31.

The pilgrimage was aimed at seeking the blessing of Lord Shiva for prosperity and progress of the country and its people, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had said.

In Amethi, the special welcome by 'kanwariyas' was organised by party's block president Indrapal Mali who is also the president of the 'kanwariya' union of the area.

Across the district, many hoardings welcomed "Shiv Bhakt Rahul Gandhi".

They have been put up by Congress leaders and supporters.

Barely months ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the entire spectacle is being seen as Congress' efforts to woo Hindu voters.

His visit to Amethi assumed significance amid reports of a possible grand alliance in UP to take on the BJP in the 2019 polls.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP leader Mayawati stitched an alliance for recent by-polls in UP, but reports suggest neither party is keen to have the Congress on board for 2019.

In a recent snub to Congress, BSP supremeo Mayawati chose to ally with Congress rebel Ajit Jogi's outfit for the Chattisgarh assembly elections.