Youth Congress members demonstrate in front of the Bahujan Samaj Party office in Patna on Friday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, May 13: All India Congress Committee general secretary Rahul Gandhi is known for decency, not a section of his followers in Bihar. They resorted to vandalism today in front of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) office in the city in protest against the arrest of their leader.

Rahul was arrested on Wednesday night from Bhatta Parsaul village in Uttar Pradesh, where he had gone to show solidarity with a farmers’ movement against land acquisition. He was released two hours later.

The Youth Congress members burnt Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayavati’s effigy in front of the BSP office and demanded apology from her. The protesters vandalised the BSP office and broke a window. They also burnt a tyre as part of their protest.

Youth Congress members said Mayavati would be taught in good time the results for her action against Rahul.

“Rahul Gandhi had gone to Bhatta Parsaul village to support the farmers fighting to protect their rights and agitating against the state’s (UP’s) land acquisition process. But the Uttar Pradesh police arrested Rahul Gandhi for no reason whatsoever. Such action will not be tolerated by the party,” said Lallan Kumar, the state Youth Congress president.

He added: “How can she use such illegitimate word against Rahul Gandhi? How can she call his dharna nautanki (drama)? Youth Congress members are furious over such remarks against our leader. She must apologise, else our protests will get more vehement.”

The protesters shouted anti-Mayavati slogans like Mayavati murdabad, Mayavati mafi mango (Shame on Mayavati, Mayavati apologise.)

Harsh Vardhan, general secretary, state Youth Congress, said: “Mayavati used her power against Rahul Gandhi to malign his charisma. She knew very well that the farmers would support him. That’s why, without thinking twice, she ordered his arrest, claiming that he had disturbed law and order.

“She is a very cunning woman and knows the ground reality. She does not have the right to arrest him. We know he was released soon. But how can a person who will be the next Prime Minister of the country be arrested like that? Mayavati must apologise for her action against Rahul Gandhi,” he added.

Sonu Kumar, another Youth Congress leader, said: “Mayavati is looting the people of Uttar Pradesh in the name of Dalits. She does not respect the farmers. Arresting Rahul Gandhi is an insult to the party and we will not tolerate it.”