A stampede-like situation prevailed in the rally of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Phulpur, on Sunday, forcing them to abandon the joint poll meeting without delivering speeches as their supporters broke through barricades trying to reach the dais. The supporters became uncontrollable as Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav reached the stage. They broke the security cordon and started moving towards the stage. When the police tried to stop them, they started pushing each other as a result of which several people were injured. When the police used sticks, a stampede-like situation erupted there. Many supporters were also injured. Akhilesh Yadav, sitting on the stage, appealed to the supporters to remain calm, but no one listened to him. The crowd remained uncontrollable for about 15 minutes. Along with Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi also raised his hand and appealed to the people to remain calm. When the supporters of the two leaders did not listen, Akhilesh became angry and left the stage. The leaders present on the stage tried to stop him, but he walked towards the helipad behind the stage. Along with Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi also stepped down from the stage and both the leaders left without addressing. Akhilesh and Rahul had come to Padila to campaign for SP candidate Amarnath Maurya from Phulpur. The Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded Praveen Patel against him. SPs MLC Dr Man Singh Yadav alleged that police force was not deployed for the rally as part of a conspiracy and this had led to the stampede-like situation.

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