BHABUA, July 17 -- National Chairman of the Congress Scheduled Caste Cell, Rajendra Pal Gautam, visited Bihar on Wednesday for the first time in his new role. During his visit, he reached Adhaura, a remote hilly block in south-west Bihar, to oversee preparations for the proposed visit of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, scheduled for July 27. Speaking to reporters, Gautam said that Scheduled Caste and tribal communities in the region continue to live in pitiable conditions. "Rahul Gandhi will visit the region to meet SC and tribal residents, listen to their problems, and understand the challenges they face in this forested and hilly area bordering Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand-which also has the highest Scheduled Tribe population in Bihar," he said. "Gandhi will feel and share their pain, their problems, and the persecution they have suffered for years. He will understand their development priorities. The country cannot progress without the upliftment of these deprived communities," Gautam added. When asked about arrangements for Rahul Gandhi's overnight stay and meals at the homes of tribal residents, Gautam said the matter was under active consideration. Adhaura falls under the Sasaram parliamentary constituency, a traditional Congress stronghold once represented by former Deputy Prime Minister Jagjivan Ram and his daughter, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. The seat is currently held by Congress MP Manoj Kumar. Sasaram MP Manoj Kumar, Kaimur district president Radheshyam Kushwaha, and state representative Anil Tiwary were among the leaders and workers who accompanied Gautam during his visit....