With shukto, mocha and chello kebabs to be had, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took time off from his hectic political schedule in West Bengal to dig into some delicious Kolkata cuisine. Sure enough, he left co-diners and restaurant staff in awe!
Rahul Gandhi, who has been in and out of Kolkata for the three-day trip ending Thursday, stepped into a couple of famous eating joints of the city.
He relished a traditional Bengali dinner at the famed Bhojohori Manna restaurant in south Kolkata Tuesday. The menu comprised delicacies like shukto and mochar paturi and fish items bhetki paturi and a hilsa preparation.
For dessert, he had nalen gurer ice cream and rosomalai, before finishing with a paan or betel leaf.
"He insisted on payment, saying as an MP he was reimbursed for such expenses. We tried to prevent him, but he was politely adamant and paid the bill," said a restaurant staffer.
After a tiring day Wednesday, during which he travelled from Kolkata to three North Bengal districts before returning in the evening, he seemed to be in a relaxed mood.
Having had a feel of Bengali food in Kolkata the previous day, he trooped into the city's fine dining hub Park Street.
Accompanied by some friends, he entered the iconic Peter Cat and placed an order for its famed chello kebab. He also had butter nan, fish sizzler, dal makhani, fresh lime soda and pineapple souffle.
"He enjoyed the food. He was just like any other customer. He also enquired about the recipe," said Michael Sarkar, who served Gandhi.
He spent all of 75 minutes at the restaurant.
Dinner over, he went up to people at other tables and shook hands, taking the diners by surprise. For want of anything better, some fished out the menu card to take his autograph. And he obliged!
"He looked very simple. I am surprised he is so simple. We are very happy," said a beaming customer.
A young girl who took Rahul Gandhi's autograph was over the moon. "He is so good looking. I will show the autograph to my schoolmates," she gushed.
'What Bengal thinks, India does'
Later, speaking at a press conference, Rahul said he believed in the old phrase, "what Bengal thinks, India does", but the state "needs to get back on the path of development".
"Bengal sochta hai, Hindustan karta hai (Bengal thinks, India does). You have more than enough capability to show direction not only to Bengal, but also to India," he added at the press conference.
He stressed West Bengal needs to get back on to the path of development.
Time and support to Omar
On Kashmir Rahul Gandhi said "we need to give (Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister) Omar Abdullah time and support".
Addressing the press conference, Gandhi said: "Kashmir is a tough and sensitive job. We need to give Omar time and support."
He said he will go to Jammu and Kashmir to carry out a youth membership drive and added that there was a need to involve Kashmir youths in the political system.
The youth Congress and the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and the idea of bringing youngsters into politics is a full time responsibility.
"...My aim is to bring youngsters into politics...Kashmir is not a part-time problem. It is a full time problem," he said.
The death toll has risen to 89 in the unrest that started in the Kashmir Valley June 11.
'I respect Mamata, but we won't bow our head'
Rahul said that he respected Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee but "we are not going to bow our head. We have a partnership in the state and we are going to hold hands with Mamata Banerjee."
He stated that Mamata Banerjee is "a senior leader and I respect her", but "we are not going to bow our head".
He said: "Bengalis understand very well the definition of respect."
The Congress leader was on a three-day tour of West Bengal which ends Thursday.
Source: IANS
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