Has Rahul Gandhi started wearing Rudraksha beads?

This is the question that is being raised after Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday addressed a press conference in Ahmedabad after visiting the Jagannath Temple there.

Wearing a white kurta-pajama, Rahul could be seen wearing beads that looked like Rudraksha around his neck as he addressed the media.

His grandmother and former prime minister Indira Gandhi used to wear Rudraksha beads too. They are associated with the Hindu deity Lord Shiva and are commonly worn for protection by his devotees.

It is being speculated that he may have got the Rudraksha beads from the Jagannath Temple after offering his prayers.

The development has aroused curiosity among political watchers as the Congress President-elect has been facing criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party over his temple visits in poll bound Gujarat.

While campaigning for the Congress party in the Gujarat assembly elections, Rahul has been visiting various temples. The BJP has been targeting Rahul over his temple visits and terms it as political move to woo Hindu votes. - ANI