Four year-old boy shares podium with Rahul Gandhi

A four year-old boy, who came with his parents to attend a rally addressed by AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi here, had a pleasant surprise when the Congress leader called the child to the podium to sit beside him.

Afsal Ibrahim, son of Mohammed Rafeeq, hailing from Pirayiri village and studying in an Anganwadi, became an instant celebrity as party leaders and workers shook hands with him for the rare chance he got during the Congress-led United Democratic Front rally.

The boy, who was sitting in the front row of the venue caught Gandhi's attention, as he kept on waving his hands cheering him.

Having called him to the dais, Gandhi was seen chatting to him and presented him with a khadi shawl.After the meeting, Gandhi lifted the boy and carried him down the stage.

When reporters asked Afsal about his close encounter with the leader, he blushed initially, but said Gandhi promised him to bring some toys the next time he visited the area. Afsal was sitting on the dais throughout the meeting.