Rahul Gandhi's Prayagraj student event to go ahead despite venue cancellation: Cong

The Congress on Thursday asserted that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's proposed interaction with students in Prayagraj on August 8 will go ahead as scheduled despite the Kayastha Pathshala (KP) Trust withdrawing permission for the venue.

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai shared Gandhi's itinerary, under which the Congress leader will leave Delhi by a special flight at 2 pm on August 8 and arrive at Prayagraj airport around 3.30 pm.

From the airport, Gandhi will travel to Anand Bhavan before attending the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' interaction with students from 6 pm to 8.30 pm. He is scheduled to leave for the airport at 8.30 pm and return to Delhi by a special flight at 9.30 pm.

The Congress announcement came a day after the KP Trust revoked permission for the event at KP Ground.

The trust cited an Allahabad High Court order dated August 14, 2025, which restricts the use of the KP College ground to sports and educational activities.

It also pointed to waterlogging at the venue following recent rains and said the permission granted to the Congress was conditional upon approval from the district magistrate, which had not been received.

Despite the cancellation, Rai maintained that Gandhi's visit would proceed as planned and urged the Uttar Pradesh government and the district administration to provide an alternative venue.

He alleged that the programme was being obstructed for political reasons.

Gandhi is expected to interact with students on alleged examination paper leaks and other issues concerning the youth during the event.