Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi's widely publicised visit to one of the holiest of Hindu shrines, the Kedarnath Temple, this week, provided much fodder to political analysts. But the party admits that it was also to give "positive publicity" to the Congress-ruled Uttarakhand government, and its restoration and rehabilitation efforts after the devastating 2013 flash floods. Gandhi not only offered prayers at the temple, he trekked the entire 16 km from Gaurikund to Kedarnath, instead of taking a chopper. Speaking to reporters there, Gandhi said he hoped that his visit would send out a message to the people that a visit to Kedarnath was safe.
Gandhi also met the porters and their families whose livelihood depended upon visiting tourists. He complimented the government and Uttarakhand Tourism for restoring the popular pilgrimage site.
