Senior Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav were hastily evacuated from a rally in Prayagraj after a commotion led to security concerns. The INDIA bloc allies were set to speak at a public meeting in Padila within the Phulpur Parliamentary constituency, but stampede-like conditions prompted their swift removal.

Reports indicate that the disturbance began with a clash between Congress and Samajwadi Party workers, many of whom attempted to reach the stage. Despite efforts by Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav to calm the crowd, the situation worsened, leading their security teams to advise an immediate exit.

Videos from the rally showed broken barricades and an increasingly uncontrollable crowd.

Later, at their second rally in Mungari, Karachhana area of Prayagraj, a similar scenario unfolded. The crowd, excited by the leaders' presence, broke police barricades in an attempt to approach the stage.

As the fifth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approaches, 14 seats in Uttar Pradesh, including prominent constituencies like Rae Bareli, Amethi, and Lucknow, are set to vote. Rahul Gandhi is running in Rae Bareli, facing BJP's Dinesh Pratap Singh. Smriti Irani, notable for defeating Rahul Gandhi in Amethi in 2019, is up against Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide to the Gandhi family. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is contesting from Lucknow against Samajwadi Party's Ravidas Mehrotra.

Other constituencies in Uttar Pradesh voting in this phase include Mohanlalganj (SC), Jalaun (SC), Jhansi, Hamirpur, Banda, Fatehpur, Kaushambi (SC), Barabanki (SC), Faizabad, Kaisarganj, and Gonda.