Relaxed after win, Rahul in Shimla

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 18

It was a relaxed holiday after the victory in the Assembly elections in three states for AICC president Rahul Gandhi who arrived here today with sister Priyanka and her children.

The family stopped at “Taran Taran” dhaba near Mohan Meakin brewery, a little ahead of Solan, while on their way to Shimla. Rahul, along with Priyanka and her children, stopped to have coffee, noodles and chips. Seeing the cavalcade of vehicles, people assembled to catch a glimpse of Rahul.

Clad in a maroon pullover, olive green half-sleeve jacket and jeans, a visibly relaxed Rahul freely mingled with locals and got pictures clicked for almost 20 minutes. As news of his presence spread, local Congressmen from Solan and nearby places arrived there. Priyanka, however, did not step out of the vehicle.

“He looked relaxed and interacted with everyone. We congratulated him on the victory in three states and he asked us to come and meet him in Delhi,” said Aman Sethi, media coordinator and spokesperson of the Solan Congress Committee. He said Rahul gave a patient hearing to two village women, who were complaining of delay in getting a housing loan under the PM Awaas Yojna, and said he would raise the issue.

The Congress president drove up from Chandigarh to Shimla. Sources said he was here on a private visit and would stay at a resort in Mashobra. Priyanka’s house located in Charabra, about 14 km from here, is almost nearing completion.

Though Priyanka has been coming here regularly with her mother Sonia, Rahul has not been here to see the house.

Stops at dhaba near Solan

The family stopped at “Taran Taran” dhaba near Mohan Meakin brewery, a little ahead of Solan, while on their way to Shimla. Rahul, along with Priyanka and her children, stopped to have coffee, noodles and chips. Rahul freely mingled with locals and got pictures clicked for almost 20 minutes.