Chandigarh:
His
non-first-class train ride to Ludhiana was Rahul Gandhi's way of leading by example, but he may have to find other ways of showing politicians how to live the simple life.
Security officials met in Delhi on Wednesday to discuss whether Rahul Gandhi's security was compromised when his
Shatabdi was stoned as he returned to Delhi on Tuesday night.
The stoning took place as the train slowed down at a crossing near Panipat in Haryana. Gandhi was not injured, but the window panes of three coaches were smashed.
The Congress has tried to downplay the stoning, saying it was a prank by children. But Railway Officials have reportedly begun an inquiry. Police officials are also concerned. "We are not taking the matter lightly, forensic experts have gone to Delhi for further investigation of broken window panes," says V Kamraj , Inspector General, Rohtak.
Security sources say that while they will not put a blanket ban on train travel, Rahul's itinerary has to keep certain precautions in mind . For example, his itinerary has to be fixed less than five days in advance, so the risk of it being leaked is lower.
Rahul Gandhi's decision to take the train to Ludhiana for party function came after his mother flew economy class from Delhi to Mumbai and then Bangalore. Sonia Gandhi has asked her party to follow what's being called "an austerity drive"; Congress ministers and MPs are to cut back on official expenses, first-class travel needs special permission, and ministries have to reduce their expenditure. The campaign is being seen as the Congress' way of expressing its solidarity with a country hit by drought and price rise.
Congress sources say Sonia Gandhi was upset with media reports about two ministers, SM Krishna and Shashi Tharoor, living in five-star hotels while they were waiting for their government accommodation to be renovated. Both ministers were paying for their hotel rooms, but were asked to move out by the Congress.