Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi with party leader Kishori Lal Sharma during the Development Coordination & Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting, in Rae Bareli.
| Photo Credit: X/@INCIndia

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday (April 29, 2025), visited the Modern Coach Factory in Rae Bareli, where he held extensive discussions with officials on the unit’s operations and future prospects. The visit formed part of his broader engagement with developmental initiatives in his parliamentary constituency.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Gandhi chaired a meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee, a platform aimed at enhancing coordination among elected representatives and officials to ensure timely implementation of development programmes. The meeting was attended by local leaders, administrative officials, and public representatives.

During the course of the visit, Mr. Gandhi also unveiled a statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Rae Bareli, marking a symbolic gesture in honour of the nationalist leader.

Speaking to The Hindu, senior Congress leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Pramod Tiwari, said the Gandhi family had remained consistently committed to the development of Rae Bareli and Amethi since the Independence. “Mr. Gandhi has made it a priority to return to his constituency and personally oversee development initiatives,” he noted.

Commenting on the rail coach factory, Mr. Tiwari alleged that the Centre had failed to extend adequate support to the unit, which he termed a critical source of employment for youth in the region. “Railways are the lifeline of the country. Neglecting its development, especially at such crucial facilities, amounts to political vendetta,” he said.

As part of his itinerary, Mr. Gandhi is also expected to visit the family of Shubham Dwivedi, a resident of Kanpur who was killed in the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai, who confirmed the visit, reiterated the party’s support for the family’s demand for martyr status for Dwivedi, citing his valour during the incident.