Rahul Gandhi in UP

On July 26, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, stopped in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, to meet a cobbler named Ram Chait, discussing the challenges faced by his community. During their 30-minute conversation, Chait expressed his financial struggles and sought assistance, while Gandhi reinforced Congress's commitment to advocating for marginalized groups. This interaction occurred as Gandhi was en route to a court hearing regarding a defamation case filed against him by BJP leader Vijay Mishra, stemming from remarks made about Union Home Minister Amit Shah in 2018. The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 12, where witnesses will be presented. Gandhi has previously faced multiple hearings in this matter and maintains that the case is politically motivated. His outreach efforts have included interactions with various community members, demonstrating his approach to connect with voters ahead of the upcoming elections.