Cong to launch ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ today, says it’s a decisive moment for party’s rejuvenation

Congress ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’: With the launch of the Yatra on Wednesday at a mega rally here, the Congress is seeking to flag economic disparities, social polarisation and political centralization, while attempting to make gains in what it often described as a battle of ideologies.

Congress ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’: With the launch of the Yatra on Wednesday at a mega rally here, the Congress is seeking to flag economic disparities, social polarisation and political centralization, while attempting to make gains in what it often described as battle of ideologies.

A day before the launch of the much-touted 3,570-km ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, the Congress on Tuesday said it is a “transformational moment” for Indian politics and a “decisive moment” for the party’s rejuvenation.

With the launch of the Yatra on Wednesday at a mega rally here, the Congress is seeking to flag economic disparities, social polarisation, and political centralization, while attempting to make gains in what it often described as a battle of ideologies.

Before the launch, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi will take part in a prayer meeting at Rajiv Gandhi memorial in Sriperumbudur on Wednesday.

He will then attend an event in Kanyakumari where Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Rajasthan’s Ashok Gehlot, and Chhattisgarh’s Bhupesh Baghel will be present.

Stalin will present a national flag made of khadi to Gandhi who will hand it over to Seva Dal workers who will manage the Yatra throughout.

After the event at the Mahatma Gandhi Mandapam where Stalin will be present, Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders will walk to the seaside venue of the rally where the yatra will be formally launched.

Sources said a message from the Congress president could be read or a video message from her be shown at the event. Sonia Gandhi’s mother passed away recently in Italy.

Both she and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are abroad. Rahul Gandhi arrived in Chennai Tuesday night.

Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said the Yatra is a “transformational moment for Indian politics and it is a decisive moment for the rejuvenation of the party”.

A final check on the preparations at the venue near the ‘Mahatma Gandhi Mandapam’ was done by general secretaries K C Venugopal and Ramesh along with senior leader and Yatra organization panel in-charge Digvijaya Singh.

“There is a lot of enthusiasm and excitement among the Congress workers across India,” Ramesh told PTI.

“Even in states where the Yatra is not passing through, people are excited.

In each state the Congress will organise similar Yatras on a smaller scale, may be of 50 km or 100 km on the main theme of uniting India, an India being torn apart by economic inequalities, social polarisation and over-centralisation,” he said.

In an apparent dig at the government, Ramesh said it will not be a yatra of speeches where announcements are made. Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by 118 leaders, will interact with various groups, he said.

“The party is focused on making Bharat Jodo Yatra successful because it is the largest mass mobilisation programme it has undertaken in Independent India.”

“It is the longest yatra undertaken by the party. It’s a turning point for India’s political history. Padyatras have a significance of their own and this is transformational politics. This is what politics is about, not of abuse, vendetta and vilification,” he said.

Tagging a report on a meeting of top BJP leaders in Delhi Tuesday, Ramesh tweeted, “The launch of the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra tomorrow from Kanyakumari has clearly sent a powerful message to the ruling establishment. When they can’t meet deadlines, they resort to managing headlines!”

In a video message, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urged people to join the Yatra wherever possible. She asserted the Yatra was needed as “negative politics was being practiced in the country and real issues were not being discussed”. It aims to put focus on people’s issues such as price rise and unemployment, she said.

News Sources – India Tv News