Rahul Gandhi Says Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra Is Ideological, Value-Based

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on the third day of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, intensified his critique of the ruling BJP and Prime Minister Modi. “The purpose of this yatra is to champion social, economic, and political justice,” he said during a press conference in Kohima, Nagaland.

“Last year, our Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir proved highly impactful and successful. It united the people of India, altering the political narrative and offering an alternative to the divisive BJP narrative. This time, we’ve selected Manipur due to the tragic events, loss of life, and violence. It’s disheartening that the Prime Minister hasn’t visited the state, which is regrettable and shameful,” Rahul Gandhi said further.

“For the first time, an Indian state has been experiencing violence for months, yet the Prime Minister hasn’t visited (it),” Rahul emphasized.

Explaining the Congress’ stance regarding the 22 January event of pran pratishtha in Ayodhya, Rahul said, “RSS and BJP have turned the January 22 function into a political Narendra Modi event.”

He added, “The programme of 22 January has become a political programme. The leaders/authorities of Hindu religion have said that they will not be able to attend this political program. RSS-BJP have given an election flavor to the program of 22 January, hence the Congress President had refused to go there. As far as religion is concerned, we are with all religions. We want to say that whoever wants to leave the Congress party can leave.”

In reply to a question, while discussing seat-sharing talks among INDIA bloc partners, Rahul said, “All is well within the INDIA bloc. Seat-sharing concerns have been addressed smoothly. We can resolve every issue together. The INDIA bloc is effectively challenging the BJP and is poised to win the 2024 LS polls.”

Speaking on the Indo-Naga political pact, Rahul said, “I have been speaking to quite a few Naga leaders and they are perplexed as to why no progress has been made. We are not even clear about what the Prime Minister envisioned in terms of a solution. It’s a superficial document. It’s not clear what exactly they mean.”

He added, “There is a problem that needs resolution and that is a problem that will require conversation, listening to each other and working on implementing a solution. That is lacking as far as the PM is concerned…I do make the sense that PM promises things without thinking them through…I get this sense that people are disturbed that the Prime Minister’s credibility is on the line and nothing has happened for 9 years…”

Meanwhile, as his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra crossed the state of Manipur and entered Nagaland on Monday evening, Rahul expressed gratitude to the people of Manipur and engaged with locals in Kohima on Tuesday morning.

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is scheduled to traverse 100 Lok Sabha constituencies in 15 states, covering 6,713 km primarily by bus but also on foot.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is embarking on a yatra that is expected to last 66 days, starting from Manipur and concluding in Maharashtra. It is scheduled to end in Mumbai around March 20, strategically timed just before the commencement of the 2024 Lok Sabha election.