Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' Draws BJP Counter With Nitin Nabin Visit

BJP president Nitin Nabin and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi are set to visit Madhya Pradesh's Malwa region within days of each other, setting the stage for a fresh political contest over student and youth outreach.

Nabin's visit is proposed for September 17, while Gandhi is scheduled to address the Congress' 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme in Indore on September 19.

The BJP president is expected to interact with youths in Ujjain, Mandsaur or Indore, though his detailed itinerary has not yet been announced. Party insiders said the BJP was keeping the schedule under wraps as it prepares its response to Gandhi's programme.

MP BJP president Hemant Khandelwal said Nabin's visit to Ujjain was proposed for September 17 and would be finalised after approval from the central leadership. He also said Nabin is scheduled to visit the Mahakaleshwar Temple.

Political observers said the BJP initially appeared to have taken Gandhi's Indore programme lightly but has now planned Nabin's visit to counter the Congress outreach.

Senior journalist Sanjiv Acharya said the Malwa region, including Indore, Ujjain and Mandsaur, has traditionally been a BJP stronghold, making it significant for the Congress' efforts to expand its presence.

Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' campaign focuses on issues including question-paper leaks, expensive education, irregularities in government recruitment and unemployment. Two prominent personalities with a substantial social media following are also expected to join Gandhi at the Indore event.

MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari has described the programme as non-political.

The Congress had initially sought permission to hold the event at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, but after permission was denied, the programme was shifted from September 12 to September 19.

The party has deposited Rs 10.08 lakh with the Indore Development Authority for a three-day temporary lease of nearly 12,000 square metres of land opposite Regional Park. However, final permission for the event is still awaited. The campaign has previously been held in Kota, Dehradun, Prayagraj and Pune.