For Bastar tribals, Rahul is just Indira Gandhi's grandson

“I was told Indira Gandhi's grandson is coming. She had visited us a long time back. So, I came to see him (Rahul Gandhi),” said Jheeni Devi, 62 one of the many tribals who arrived at the venue in dozens of trucks and buses.

Around 10,000 people came to hear Gandhi.

Similar views were shared by her neighbour, 34-year-old Raju who was happy to see the young Gandhi and cheered and clapped all through his speech, but only because he was “Indira Ji's grandson”.

“He is from the Gandhi family. My father told me about Indira ji,” Raju said, though sheepishly admitting that he was not impressed by the young Gandhi's speech.

“He is talking about our rights and issues, but we are happy with the present government as well,” he said.

Interestingly, there were many like Raju who came just because they heard that someone from the Gandhi family was coming to meet them,

When the IANS correspondent asked 22-year-old Briha why she decided to attend the rally, her answer was “Gandhi” as she pointed towards the stage where Rahul Gandhi was seated.