MP: Narrow escape for Rahul Gandhi as balloons catch fire during roadshow

New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi had a narrow escape as a major fire was averted during his 8 km road show in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Some enthusiastic workers of the party had made arrangements for an ‘aarti’ for Rahul Gandhi in the rally but the flame of the lamp caused balloons to catch fire and burst with a loud noise, leading to chaos in the rally which could be managed only after police’s interference. The incident took place when some workers moved towards Rahul Gandhi with the ‘aarti’ tray which accidentally came in contact with balloons nearby causing them to burst with a loud bang. The spot where the balloons burst was just few steps away from Gandhi. For a few seconds, even Rahul Gandhi along with Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia were taken aback after hearing the blast. The police and SPG soon took control of the situation and pushed behind all the workers of the party. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Saturday started his 8-kilometre road show in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district after paying obeisance to the Narmada River, with hundreds of posters dotting the route terming him a "Narmada bhakt". The route of the roadshow covers areas in three Assembly constituencies, namely Jabalpur West, Jabalpur North Central and Jabalpur East (SC) seats. In his address made at the rally Gandhi launched an attack at PM Modi by saying those who want to hear fake promises can go to Modi’s rally. He said that Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan have betrayed the people of Madhya Pradesh. They neither gave jobs as they promised nor did they work for development, Gandhi said.