Amid a war of words with Rahul Gandhi, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday made a shocking claim that the former Congress chief is using his “body double” during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
Citing a media report, Sarma said the former Congress chief sits inside the coupe, which has an accommodation of eight persons, while his “body double” sits in the front of the bus waving at people.
“Rahul Gandhi who is visible to all in front of the bus is not real Rahul Gandhi. Rahul sits inside the coupe which has an accommodation of eight persons. The body double looks like Rahul Gandhi from a distance and people believe that Rahul Gandhi walks miles for Nyay. But Rahul Gandhi enjoys tea and snacks along with his close aides,” the CM said.
Sarma has recently warned that Rahul Gandhi will be arrested after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Guwahati Police has lodged a suo motu FIR against Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders for “wanton acts of violence”.
Rahul Gandhi travelled 833 km in 17 districts during the Assam leg of the march, which started on January 18 and concluded on Thursday.
Who Is Rahul Gandhi’s “Body Double”?
While Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra was in Jorhat of Upper Assam, News18 interviewed his alleged “body double”.
With a grey beard and a white t-shirt, Rakesh Kushwaha resembles Rahul Gandhi. Hailing from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh Assam, Rakesh has been a part of Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra since it was launched from Imphal in Manipur on January 14.
“I feel proud. I have always adored and followed Rahul ji as my leader since my Youth Congress days. My look got attention after I met Rahul Ji, in the first phase of the yatra. It is a moment of pride when my countrymen resemble me with Rahul Ji and on many occasions call me Rahul,” he said.