Chandigarh, April 01: Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, probably attracted by the serene environs of the famous Yadvindra Gardens in adjacent Pinjore town, Wednesday stayed overnight at a guest-house overlooking the sprawling Mughal-era park, which he visited Thursday, a police officer said.
Gandhi drove to Pinjore after witnessing India triumph over Pakistan in the high-voltage World Cup semifinal at Mohali Wednesday night.
He stayed at a semi-deluxe double-bed accommodation overlooking the gardens, the police officer told IANS.
Dressed in a sky-blue T-shirt and blue denims, the Gandhi scion also went around the gardens Thursday morning.
Rahul’s private visit to Pinjore, which is located on the Shimla highway, was kept top secret. However, police and the local administration swung into action after receiving information about his visit Wednesday night.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia had flown to Chandigarh Wednesday to witness the semifinal. The others returned to New Delhi the same night while Rahul Gandhi headed to Pinjore.
The heritage of Pinjore, some 25 km from here, and the sprawling gardens built during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb by one of his generals, are famous across the country.
–IANS–