Kolkata, Sep 6 (IANS) Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi arrived in Kolkata Monday on a day's visit to launch the membership drive of the Youth Congress in West Bengal.

Clad in a white kurta-pyjama, Gandhi arrived at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose international airport a little after noon to the cheers of 'Rahul Gandhi zindabad' from the assembled party workers and activists.

Ringed by members of the Special Protection Group (SPG) and crack commandos of the state police, Gandhi headed for the Raj Bhavan in a large convoy.

Congress general secretary K. Keshava Rao, who is in charge of the party's West Bengal affairs, state Congress chief Manas Bhuniya and Congress MP Mausam Benazir Noor were with Gandhi.

Gandhi is slated to hold a rally at Shahid Minar in the heart of the city.

He is also scheduled to meet state party leaders at the state Congress office, Bidhan Bhavan.