Rahul, had spent about 30 minutes with Chet, discussing the challenges of his work and promising to help him.
UP Congress spokesperson Anshu Awasthi praised Gandhi’s gesture on X, saying, “Jannayak (leader of the people), yesterday had met a cobbler family and understood the pain of their work and today Shri @RahulGandhi has sent them a sewing machine which is used in cobbling work so that they can make their future work easier.We are proud of our leader, Jannayak Rahul Gandhi.”
Manish Hindvi, another UP Congress spokesperson, added that Gandhi’s action sends a message that he stands with the poor and oppressed.
Chet expressed his happiness upon receiving the sewing machine, stating that it will enable him to stitch 8-10 pairs of shoes a day, as well as school bags, purses, and other accessories. He plans to keep the machine at his son’s place, where there is electricity supply.
“I told him that I get the shoes stitched from Kurebhar and get them fitted here… Seeing my poverty, he (Gandhi) said he will help me. Today, on the second day itself, he has helped me a lot by sending the machine.
“I used to make one or two pairs of shoes in a day. Now, after getting this machine, I will be able to make 8-10 pairs in a day,” he said.
The UP Congress also shared a post on X, commending Rahul Gandhi’s understanding of the cobbler’s work and his efforts to make Chet’s life easier.
The Congress leader had a chat with cobbler Ram Chait in Uttar Pradesh’s Sultanpur, who informed the Rae Bareli MP of his “financially weak” condition and sought his help. The Congress scion also learned to mend shoes.
“Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi stopped the car on the way and met a family of cobbler.We are continuously fighting for the rights of these hardworking people, raising their voice from the streets to the Parliament. Our aim is to make their present safe and their future prosperous,” wrote Congress in a post on X.
Rahul Gandhi appeared before the Sultanpur MP/MLA court in connection with a defamation case lodged against him for alleged objectionable remarks directed at Union home minister Amit Shah. The court on July 2 had asked Rahul Gandhi to appear on July 26.