Rahul Gandhi's Uttar Pradesh poll campaign kicked off with a controversy yesterday at Phulpur. Congress workers clashed with Samajwadi Party activists who staged a black flag demonstration as the helicopter carrying Rahul Gandhi landed in Phulpur. The SP activists were allegedly roughed up. At one stage, Union Ministers Jitin Prasad and others were also seen approaching the SP activists. The Opposition has immediately torn into Congress party calling it an abuse of power and an insult to democracy.