A barber shop in Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli, where Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stopped for a haircut and beard trim, has seen a jump in the number of visitors after the celebrity visit.
Mithun Kumar, owner of the New Mumba Devi Hair Cutting Saloon in Raebareli's Lalganj, was in for a surprise on Monday when Mr Gandhi casually walked in and asked for a trim. "I had not even imagined that such a big leader will come to my shop," Mr Kumar has told mediapersons flocking to his shop after the Congress leader's visit.
Aman Kumar, who works in the shop, said, "The number of customers has gone up. If 10 people came earlier, now we get 15. We are getting lots of calls since that day."
Asked if the Congress leader spoke about the ongoing Lok Sabha election, Aman Kumar said, "Not really, he just told us to vote for the party we like." He also said the Agniveer recruitment scheme for defence forces came up during the chat. Mr Gandhi, he said, assured that the scheme will be removed when the Congress comes to power.
Videos that have now gone viral show Mr Gandhi asking shopowner Mithun Kumar about the hairstyles displayed in the shop. "Who cuts your hair," the Congress leader asks. To this, Mr Kumar replies that his staff does it.
Mr Gandhi is also heard asking Mithun Kumar about his working hours and where he picked up the skills. Mr Kumar, while trimming the Congress leader's beard, tells him about the years he worked in Mumbai before moving to Raebareli. Mr Gandhi also asked how much rent he pays for the shop. He also asked Mr Kumar about viral videos that show stylists putting hair on fire.
Mr Gandhi then asks him how much he makes daily and mentions the Mahalaxmi Yojana -- a scheme promised by the Congress in its manifesto in which each poor family will get Rs 1 lakh annually.
When Mr Gandhi asks Mr Kumar about what's needed the most to develop Raebareli, the hairstylist talks about employment and says the Agniveer scheme must be junked. To this, Mr Gandhi replies, "We will stop it when our government comes."
The grooming session over, Mr Gandhi thanks Mr Kumar and hands him and his staff Congress 'guarantee cards'. He is also seen posing for a photograph with them.
Raebareli, a Congress family stronghold earlier represented by Sonia Gandhi, goes to the polls on May 20. This time, Congress has fielded Mr Gandhi and he is up against BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh.
Featured Video Of The Day
Ajay Maken Files Complaint Against BJP Leaders Over Threats Against Rahul Gandhi 'Hooda And Company' Spreading Lies About Agniveer Scheme: Amit Shah In Haryana 'Discipline Your Leaders': Mallikarjun Kharge To PM On "Violent" Remarks Against Rahul Gandhi 3 Grams Of Explosives Per Pager: Israel's Complex Op To Hurt Hezbollah What Is A Pager And Why Hezbollah Still Relies On This Outdated Device New XEC Covid Variant Spreads To 27 Countries, Here's What We Know So Far New Mercedes E-Class LWB Launch on October 9, Deliveries Start By Diwali SpiceJet's Big Reveal: Airline Hasn't Paid Rs 355 Crore In PF And Tax Dues Ajay Maken Files Complaint Against BJP Leaders Over Threats Against Rahul Gandhi Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.