News Analysis India

Tag: Bharat-Jodo Yatra

  • Bharat Jodo Yatra: Day after CPM jibe, Rahul extends stay in UP by three days

    Express News Service

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Under attack from the CPM for Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra spending only two days in the BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has reworked the yatra’s itinerary, extending its stay in the key state to five days. The Congress leadership though put up a brave face, saying the yatra was originally scheduled for five days in UP.

    The CPM’s official twitter handle on Monday posted a poster with a tag line, ‘strange way to fight BJP-RSS’, and wondering whether the Yatra that spends 18 days in Left-ruled Kerala and two days in BJP-ruled UP was meant to unite India or just Congress’ seats in the southern state. The tweet sent ripples across the political spectrum, prompting the Congress national general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh to retort that the “CPM is the ‘A’ team of BJP in the land of Mundu Modi”.

    However, the Congress leadership on Tuesday made it clear that the yatra will be in UP for five days. Jairam Ramesh told TNIE that the yatra was planned for five days in UP from day one and there is no change of plan following the CPM’s jibe.“It was an idiotic tweet by the CPM. They got it wrong which led me to reply that they should have done their homework on how and why the yatra was planned the way it is,” he said.

    A Congress source from New Delhi said the yatra schedule for UP was changed from two days to five days even before the CPM’s criticism. The schedule for each state was finalised based on length of the route, topography and the security aspects, said the source.

    A source close to Rahul said the Nehru scion shares a good rapport with CPM general secretary Sitram Yechury and must have heeded to the Left leader’s opinion to extend the stay in UP. Rahul would be spending a maximum of 21 days in Karnataka and Rajasthan. Incidentally, both these states are going to polls next year. Then the question arose on why the yatra completely avoided Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and north-eastern states.

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Under attack from the CPM for Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra spending only two days in the BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has reworked the yatra’s itinerary, extending its stay in the key state to five days. The Congress leadership though put up a brave face, saying the yatra was originally scheduled for five days in UP.

    The CPM’s official twitter handle on Monday posted a poster with a tag line, ‘strange way to fight BJP-RSS’, and wondering whether the Yatra that spends 18 days in Left-ruled Kerala and two days in BJP-ruled UP was meant to unite India or just Congress’ seats in the southern state. The tweet sent ripples across the political spectrum, prompting the Congress national general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh to retort that the “CPM is the ‘A’ team of BJP in the land of Mundu Modi”.

    However, the Congress leadership on Tuesday made it clear that the yatra will be in UP for five days. Jairam Ramesh told TNIE that the yatra was planned for five days in UP from day one and there is no change of plan following the CPM’s jibe.“It was an idiotic tweet by the CPM. They got it wrong which led me to reply that they should have done their homework on how and why the yatra was planned the way it is,” he said.

    A Congress source from New Delhi said the yatra schedule for UP was changed from two days to five days even before the CPM’s criticism. The schedule for each state was finalised based on length of the route, topography and the security aspects, said the source.

    A source close to Rahul said the Nehru scion shares a good rapport with CPM general secretary Sitram Yechury and must have heeded to the Left leader’s opinion to extend the stay in UP. Rahul would be spending a maximum of 21 days in Karnataka and Rajasthan. Incidentally, both these states are going to polls next year. Then the question arose on why the yatra completely avoided Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and north-eastern states.

  • Not against Bharat Jodo Yatra, CPM makes its stance clear

    By Express News Service

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Just a day after the tweet war between the CPM and Congress over Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and its long stay in Kerala, the ruling party seems to have opted for a more cautious approach, choosing not to indulge in further provocation. Realising the obvious politics behind Rahul’s padayatra, CPM state secretary M V Govindan was quick to make it clear that the party was not against the yatra per se.

    Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the newly-elected CPM state chief made it categorically clear that the CPM as such is not against the yatra or any other democratic process in this regard. Govindan, however, maintained that the party would respond accordingly whenever there is unfair criticism directed against either the party, the Left front or the state government. Notably, Govindan did not endorse the remarks by party state secretariat member M Swaraj who had dubbed the pan-India tour the “container yatra” in a mock reference to the mobile stay arrangements made for the participants.

    Sources said the respective leadership of both CPM and Congress was surprised at the seemingly unprovoked and sudden jibes at each other by party members. “We never thought a leader like Jairam Ramesh would come up with such a tweet on Kerala and the CPM. Hence, it was bit surprising,” said a senior CPM leader. On the other hand, the Congress too felt the CPM tweet with Rahul’s caricature could have been avoided. “We don’t think it was done with the knowledge of Sitaram Yechury. In fact, the national Left leaders were keen about avoiding such remarks,” said a source.

    Meanwhile, senior CPM leader Thomas Isaac too tweeted asking Jairam Ramesh why he made such a remark on the Kerala chief minister. “Dear Rameshji, I was amazed at your response. Why the unprovoked insult of the Kerala CM? Not an auspicious start to a Jodo Yatra. And the question still remains unanswered. Whom are you trying to unite by touring Kerala for 18 days, while avoiding Gujarat and UP? Anyway, happy journey,”  Isaac tweeted.

    RAHUL GANDHI TAKES POTSHOTS AT BJP

    T’Puram: As the third day of his yatra ended at Kallambalam on Tuesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took potshots at the BJP. Addressing a massive crowd, Rahul said the BJP is getting panicky due to the hatred it is spreading. He also questioned the double standards of the BJP, saying a party which believes in Hindutva is creating disharmony in society. Earlier, Rahul held talks with the leaders of the anti-K Rail movement at Attingal, where he expressed solidarity with their protest. He also met Attingal native Jayachandran and his eight-year-old daughter who were accused of stealing a policewoman’s mobile phone. The yatra will enter Kollam district on Wednesday afternoon.

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Just a day after the tweet war between the CPM and Congress over Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and its long stay in Kerala, the ruling party seems to have opted for a more cautious approach, choosing not to indulge in further provocation. Realising the obvious politics behind Rahul’s padayatra, CPM state secretary M V Govindan was quick to make it clear that the party was not against the yatra per se.

    Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the newly-elected CPM state chief made it categorically clear that the CPM as such is not against the yatra or any other democratic process in this regard. Govindan, however, maintained that the party would respond accordingly whenever there is unfair criticism directed against either the party, the Left front or the state government. Notably, Govindan did not endorse the remarks by party state secretariat member M Swaraj who had dubbed the pan-India tour the “container yatra” in a mock reference to the mobile stay arrangements made for the participants.

    Sources said the respective leadership of both CPM and Congress was surprised at the seemingly unprovoked and sudden jibes at each other by party members. “We never thought a leader like Jairam Ramesh would come up with such a tweet on Kerala and the CPM. Hence, it was bit surprising,” said a senior CPM leader. On the other hand, the Congress too felt the CPM tweet with Rahul’s caricature could have been avoided. “We don’t think it was done with the knowledge of Sitaram Yechury. In fact, the national Left leaders were keen about avoiding such remarks,” said a source.

    Meanwhile, senior CPM leader Thomas Isaac too tweeted asking Jairam Ramesh why he made such a remark on the Kerala chief minister. “Dear Rameshji, I was amazed at your response. Why the unprovoked insult of the Kerala CM? Not an auspicious start to a Jodo Yatra. And the question still remains unanswered. Whom are you trying to unite by touring Kerala for 18 days, while avoiding Gujarat and UP? Anyway, happy journey,”  Isaac tweeted.

    RAHUL GANDHI TAKES POTSHOTS AT BJP

    T’Puram: As the third day of his yatra ended at Kallambalam on Tuesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took potshots at the BJP. Addressing a massive crowd, Rahul said the BJP is getting panicky due to the hatred it is spreading. He also questioned the double standards of the BJP, saying a party which believes in Hindutva is creating disharmony in society. Earlier, Rahul held talks with the leaders of the anti-K Rail movement at Attingal, where he expressed solidarity with their protest. He also met Attingal native Jayachandran and his eight-year-old daughter who were accused of stealing a policewoman’s mobile phone. The yatra will enter Kollam district on Wednesday afternoon.

  • ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’: Digvijaya Singh, other Congress veterans show exemplary walking stamina

    Express News Service

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 75-year-old Digvijaya Singh, former Madhya Pradesh CM and Bharat Jodo Yatra campaign committee chairman, has been accompanying Rahul Gandhi on his padayatra right from Kanyakumari on foot.

    When a large number of state Congress leaders, except MP K Muraleedharan and UDF convener M M Hassan, are relying on their cars, Digvijaya Singh and wife Amrita Rai are an exception.  

    Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala who has been accompanying Rahul Gandhi on foot and sometimes in his car gave yoga tips to padayatris who faced aches due to brisk walking.

    Clad in a Gandhi cap and the traditional white khadi kurta and pyjama, Digviyaya was seen treading the padayatra effortlessly a little distance behind Rahul. Showing no hurry to be in the front row, he ensures that he does not come under the media glare.

    But the way in which Digvijaya walks shows that this is not the first time he has undertaken an arduous padayatra beating the high humidity of Kerala.

    ALSO READ | Bharat Jodo Yatra: Day after CPM jibe, Rahul extends stay in UP by three days

    He told TNIE that he has got a rich experience of walking 3,300km Narmada Parikrama Yatra (NPY) through Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra during October 2017-April 2018.

    “I have to keep myself fit as I have a wife (former TV news anchor) who is 23 years younger than me! Jokes apart, we are enjoying the yatra in Kerala. We will be leaving for New Delhi on Tuesday night as I have to organise the BJY in other states. But we will be back in Kerala on September 19,” he said.

    Another central leader who is accompanying Rahul is national general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal who is a “one-man silent army”. But the two state leaders who have stolen the heart of Rahul are 74-year-old Hassan and 65-year-old Muraleedharan.

    Hassan told TNIE that though he has been a prolific morning walker, padayatra has been an entirely unique experience.

    ALSO READ | Not against Bharat Jodo Yatra, CPM makes its stance clear

    “Rahul Gandhi is very cool and jovial. His stamina is astounding and on certain occasions, he slowed down so that I could catch up with him. My initial idea was that I would traverse with him in the Thiruvananthapuram district alone. But now I have decided to join him on the first day in each district,” said Hassan.

    But Muraleedharan has decided to accompany Rahul throughout the padayatra until it crosses to Karnataka from Nilambur.

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 75-year-old Digvijaya Singh, former Madhya Pradesh CM and Bharat Jodo Yatra campaign committee chairman, has been accompanying Rahul Gandhi on his padayatra right from Kanyakumari on foot.

    When a large number of state Congress leaders, except MP K Muraleedharan and UDF convener M M Hassan, are relying on their cars, Digvijaya Singh and wife Amrita Rai are an exception.  

    Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala who has been accompanying Rahul Gandhi on foot and sometimes in his car gave yoga tips to padayatris who faced aches due to brisk walking.

    Clad in a Gandhi cap and the traditional white khadi kurta and pyjama, Digviyaya was seen treading the padayatra effortlessly a little distance behind Rahul. Showing no hurry to be in the front row, he ensures that he does not come under the media glare.

    But the way in which Digvijaya walks shows that this is not the first time he has undertaken an arduous padayatra beating the high humidity of Kerala.

    ALSO READ | Bharat Jodo Yatra: Day after CPM jibe, Rahul extends stay in UP by three days

    He told TNIE that he has got a rich experience of walking 3,300km Narmada Parikrama Yatra (NPY) through Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra during October 2017-April 2018.

    “I have to keep myself fit as I have a wife (former TV news anchor) who is 23 years younger than me! Jokes apart, we are enjoying the yatra in Kerala. We will be leaving for New Delhi on Tuesday night as I have to organise the BJY in other states. But we will be back in Kerala on September 19,” he said.

    Another central leader who is accompanying Rahul is national general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal who is a “one-man silent army”. But the two state leaders who have stolen the heart of Rahul are 74-year-old Hassan and 65-year-old Muraleedharan.

    Hassan told TNIE that though he has been a prolific morning walker, padayatra has been an entirely unique experience.

    ALSO READ | Not against Bharat Jodo Yatra, CPM makes its stance clear

    “Rahul Gandhi is very cool and jovial. His stamina is astounding and on certain occasions, he slowed down so that I could catch up with him. My initial idea was that I would traverse with him in the Thiruvananthapuram district alone. But now I have decided to join him on the first day in each district,” said Hassan.

    But Muraleedharan has decided to accompany Rahul throughout the padayatra until it crosses to Karnataka from Nilambur.

  • Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ is ‘political gimmick’ if based on hatred: RSS

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) lashed out at the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ and said if the elements engaged in unifying India are based on hatred instead of affection then the exercise would look more like a political gimmick.

    The Congress on its Twitter message in the backdrop of the Yatra captioned: “To free the country from shackles of hate and undo the damage done by BJP-RSS.”

    To free the country from shackles of hate and undo the damage done by BJP-RSS.Step by step, we will reach our goal.#BharatJodoYatra pic.twitter.com/MuoDZuCHJ2
    — Congress (@INCIndia) September 12, 2022
    Briefing the media on the concluding day of the Sangh’s All India Coordination meeting in Raipur on Monday, the RSS Sah Sarkaryavah Manmohan Vaidya said they are nurturing hatred against the RSS for a long time.

    “Bharat may connect with ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ but our experiences clearly suggest that the people in huge strength are now associating with the ideology of Hindutva”, said RSS leader.

    When reminded of the Congress tweet that slammed the RSS-BJP through Khaki shorts, Vaidya retorted, “What should I comment when they don’t even know that the uniform of Sangh has changed. We have people who make sacrifices and work hard”.

    The Congress however countered that both RSS and BJP are apparently “agitated” with the ongoing ‘Yatra’.

    “RSS shouldn’t teach a lesson on patriotism to Rahul Gandhi whose father and grandmother had sacrificed their lives for the country. The Sangh works on the divisive agenda like the British regime when the nation was fighting for independence”, said Sushil Anand Shukla, chairman of Congress media cell.

    The RSS leader said that the key office bearers of 36 organisations inspired by the RSS, mainly discussed ways to encourage local products instead of branded, preparing Hindutva-related courses in Indian education institutes and also focused on employment-centric inclusive new economic India index instead of GDP, promoting organic farming, usage of Indian languages in courts’ proceedings among others.

    RAIPUR: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) lashed out at the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ and said if the elements engaged in unifying India are based on hatred instead of affection then the exercise would look more like a political gimmick.

    The Congress on its Twitter message in the backdrop of the Yatra captioned: “To free the country from shackles of hate and undo the damage done by BJP-RSS.”

    To free the country from shackles of hate and undo the damage done by BJP-RSS.
    Step by step, we will reach our goal.#BharatJodoYatra pic.twitter.com/MuoDZuCHJ2
    — Congress (@INCIndia) September 12, 2022
    Briefing the media on the concluding day of the Sangh’s All India Coordination meeting in Raipur on Monday, the RSS Sah Sarkaryavah Manmohan Vaidya said they are nurturing hatred against the RSS for a long time.

    “Bharat may connect with ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ but our experiences clearly suggest that the people in huge strength are now associating with the ideology of Hindutva”, said RSS leader.

    When reminded of the Congress tweet that slammed the RSS-BJP through Khaki shorts, Vaidya retorted, “What should I comment when they don’t even know that the uniform of Sangh has changed. We have people who make sacrifices and work hard”.

    The Congress however countered that both RSS and BJP are apparently “agitated” with the ongoing ‘Yatra’.

    “RSS shouldn’t teach a lesson on patriotism to Rahul Gandhi whose father and grandmother had sacrificed their lives for the country. The Sangh works on the divisive agenda like the British regime when the nation was fighting for independence”, said Sushil Anand Shukla, chairman of Congress media cell.

    The RSS leader said that the key office bearers of 36 organisations inspired by the RSS, mainly discussed ways to encourage local products instead of branded, preparing Hindutva-related courses in Indian education institutes and also focused on employment-centric inclusive new economic India index instead of GDP, promoting organic farming, usage of Indian languages in courts’ proceedings among others.

  • Congress wants to connect people through hatred, its earlier generations too tried to stop us: RSS

    The Congress on Monday tweeted a picture of a burning pair of khaki shorts — a part of the RSS uniform earlier, saying, “To free the country from shackles of hate and undo the damage done by BJP-RSS.

  • Congress tweets picture of khakhi shorts on fire, BJP calls it instigation for violence

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday tweeted a picture of a khakhi shorts — a part of the RSS uniform earlier — on fire, drawing sharp reaction from the BJP which dubbed it as an “instigation for violence”.

    The Congress tweeted along with the picture, “To free the country from shackles of hate and undo the damage done by BJP-RSS. Step by step, we will reach our goal.”

    145 days more to go, it said of the party’s ongoing “Bharat Jodo Yatra”.

    The BJP lashed out at the Congress for its “promotion of violence” and dubbed its yatra as “Bharat Todo Yatra”.

    Noting that many RSS, the Hindutva organisation considered the BJP’s ideological mentor, members have been killed in Kerala where the Congress yatra is going presently, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged that the opposition party has signalled to “terrorists” in the southern state to target their functionaries.

    Patra asked Congress to immediately take down the post, saying there is no room for violence in India’s constitutional scheme of things.

    Hitting out at the Congress, he said the party part has had an old association with “fire”.

    Punjab was put on fire when the party was in power and Sikhs were burnt alive during the 1984 riots, he said.

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday tweeted a picture of a khakhi shorts — a part of the RSS uniform earlier — on fire, drawing sharp reaction from the BJP which dubbed it as an “instigation for violence”.

    The Congress tweeted along with the picture, “To free the country from shackles of hate and undo the damage done by BJP-RSS. Step by step, we will reach our goal.”

    145 days more to go, it said of the party’s ongoing “Bharat Jodo Yatra”.

    The BJP lashed out at the Congress for its “promotion of violence” and dubbed its yatra as “Bharat Todo Yatra”.

    Noting that many RSS, the Hindutva organisation considered the BJP’s ideological mentor, members have been killed in Kerala where the Congress yatra is going presently, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged that the opposition party has signalled to “terrorists” in the southern state to target their functionaries.

    Patra asked Congress to immediately take down the post, saying there is no room for violence in India’s constitutional scheme of things.

    Hitting out at the Congress, he said the party part has had an old association with “fire”.

    Punjab was put on fire when the party was in power and Sikhs were burnt alive during the 1984 riots, he said.

  • Congress attacks BJP’s Rahul Gandhi T-shirt jibe with Modi’s Rs 10 lakh suit

    By IANS

    MUMBAI: In a counter-attack to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s jibes at Rahul Gandhi’s costly T-shirt, the Maharashtra Congress hit back by questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expensive suit, watches, shades, car and aircraft, here on Saturday.

    State Congress President Nana Patole said that instead of worrying about Rahul Gandhi’s T-shirt, the BJP should concern itself with PM Modi’s Rs 10 lakh suit, Rs 12 lakh car, Rs 1.5 lakh shades, Rs 80,000 shawl and the Rs 8,000-crore aircraft in which he flies.

    “After owning all this, he continues to call himself a ‘fakir’ (beggar). The BJP should worry how the Modi government has brought the 130-crore people of the country to the streets. Due to this government’s miserable performance, its end is near,” said Patole.

    The Congress leader claimed at a media briefing that the BJP is sleepless as Rahul’s Kanyakumari to Kashmir ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ is getting an overwhelming response wherever it is passing.

    “The BJP has got a strong blow with the public spontaneously thronging the Yatra in large numbers and that is why it is raking up petty issues like the price-tag of Rahul Gandhi’s T-shirt,” Patole said.

    He added that dozens of BJP ministers, leaders and spokespersons predicting that the Congress is finished and Rahul does not matter now, are ironically working full-time to criticise and defame him (Rahul) and the Yatra.

    “The BJP is shaken by the response to the Yatra from day one… Rahul is fighting for the masses and raising the issues of the common man like spiralling inflation, massive unemployment, the state of the economy, the problems of farmers and workers, etc. with whom he is interacting during the long march,” Patole pointed out.

    The Bharat Jodo Yatra will cover 3,500 km through 12 states and 2 Union Territories in 150 days and even as it has just begun, the BJP is getting rattled and resorting to such diversionary issues, he said.

    Entering Maharashtra on November 7, the Yatra will go around covering 383 km in 6 of the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies over 16 days, with a large number of people including celebrities expected to join it.

    MUMBAI: In a counter-attack to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s jibes at Rahul Gandhi’s costly T-shirt, the Maharashtra Congress hit back by questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expensive suit, watches, shades, car and aircraft, here on Saturday.

    State Congress President Nana Patole said that instead of worrying about Rahul Gandhi’s T-shirt, the BJP should concern itself with PM Modi’s Rs 10 lakh suit, Rs 12 lakh car, Rs 1.5 lakh shades, Rs 80,000 shawl and the Rs 8,000-crore aircraft in which he flies.

    “After owning all this, he continues to call himself a ‘fakir’ (beggar). The BJP should worry how the Modi government has brought the 130-crore people of the country to the streets. Due to this government’s miserable performance, its end is near,” said Patole.

    The Congress leader claimed at a media briefing that the BJP is sleepless as Rahul’s Kanyakumari to Kashmir ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ is getting an overwhelming response wherever it is passing.

    “The BJP has got a strong blow with the public spontaneously thronging the Yatra in large numbers and that is why it is raking up petty issues like the price-tag of Rahul Gandhi’s T-shirt,” Patole said.

    He added that dozens of BJP ministers, leaders and spokespersons predicting that the Congress is finished and Rahul does not matter now, are ironically working full-time to criticise and defame him (Rahul) and the Yatra.

    “The BJP is shaken by the response to the Yatra from day one… Rahul is fighting for the masses and raising the issues of the common man like spiralling inflation, massive unemployment, the state of the economy, the problems of farmers and workers, etc. with whom he is interacting during the long march,” Patole pointed out.

    The Bharat Jodo Yatra will cover 3,500 km through 12 states and 2 Union Territories in 150 days and even as it has just begun, the BJP is getting rattled and resorting to such diversionary issues, he said.

    Entering Maharashtra on November 7, the Yatra will go around covering 383 km in 6 of the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies over 16 days, with a large number of people including celebrities expected to join it.

  • MP: After Uma Bharti’s swipe at Rahul’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, Kamal Nath asks her to join march

    By PTI

    BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath on Saturday invited senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Uma Bharti to join his party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, which is being led by Rahul Gandhi.

    On Friday, Bharti had claimed the decision on the march was a delayed one and would not benefit Gandhi.

    Queried on this statement, Nath said, “I don’t know why Uma Bharti ji said it was a delayed decision. I am inviting her to join Bharat Jodo Yatra.”

    On another statement of Bharti that those in power must take care of the struggle against inequality that is taking place in Madhya Pradesh and other parts of the country, Nath said he agreed with her.

    “There is need to pay attention to social justice as the country is culturally diverse. People from different social strata have been offering to challenge the BJP on this front and this will grow further till the next election,” Nath asserted.

    Gandhi has undertaken a 3,570-kilometre yatra to connect with people across the country while seeking to strengthen the Congress party, which has suffered successive electoral defeats in the last few years.

    BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath on Saturday invited senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Uma Bharti to join his party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, which is being led by Rahul Gandhi.

    On Friday, Bharti had claimed the decision on the march was a delayed one and would not benefit Gandhi.

    Queried on this statement, Nath said, “I don’t know why Uma Bharti ji said it was a delayed decision. I am inviting her to join Bharat Jodo Yatra.”

    On another statement of Bharti that those in power must take care of the struggle against inequality that is taking place in Madhya Pradesh and other parts of the country, Nath said he agreed with her.

    “There is need to pay attention to social justice as the country is culturally diverse. People from different social strata have been offering to challenge the BJP on this front and this will grow further till the next election,” Nath asserted.

    Gandhi has undertaken a 3,570-kilometre yatra to connect with people across the country while seeking to strengthen the Congress party, which has suffered successive electoral defeats in the last few years.

  • Pastor’s ‘Jesus is real God’ remarks during meeting with Rahul: War of words start between Congress, BJP

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The BJP on Saturday cited a video of a Christian priest’s purported comments mentioning Hindu goddess Shakti during a conversation with Rahul Gandhi to allege it shows the “anti-Hindu” face of the opposition party, drawing a sharp reaction.

    The Congress accused the BJP of spreading mischief through its “hate factory” and alleged that the ruling party has turned more desperate ever since the successful launch of the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’.

    In the video shared by several BJP leaders among others, the priest identified as George Ponnaiah is purportedly heard telling Gandhi that Jesus Christ is the “real god revealed as a human being. Not like Shakti.”

    He was responding to the Congress leader’s query if Jesus is considered god or not.

    BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra claimed the video has exposed the reality of the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’.

    It insults goddess Shakti ahead of the beginning of Navratra, he told reporters.

    This is not the first time the Congress has been involved in such incidents as the party had earlier questioned the existence of Lord Ram, he said.

    During elections, Gandhi pretends to go to temples but the “anti-Hindu” face comes to the fore after the polls are over, he alleged.

    ALSO READ | BJP marks three years in office with ‘Jana Spandana’ event, Irani lashes out at Rahul over his ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’

    “Is this ‘Bharat Jodo’? Denouncing one religion for the appeasement of the other. This Hindu hatred of Congress in general and Rahul Gandhi, in particular, is no more a clandestine affair. Rahul wears it on his sleeves with pride! ‘Bharat-Todo’ indeed by Rahul Gandhi,” Patra said.

    AICC general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh said the BJP’s “hate factory” is sharing tweets about Gandhi which have no relation to the audio.

    “An atrocious tweet from the BJP hate factory is doing the rounds. It bears no relation whatsoever to what is recorded in the audio. This is typical BJP mischief that has become more desperate after the successful launch of Bharat Jodo Yatra which is evoking such a huge response,” Ramesh tweeted.

    “People who were responsible for the killing of Mahatma Gandhi and the murders of people like Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare, MM Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh are raising questions! What a morbid joke! Such attempts to damage the spirit of Bharat Jodo Yatra will fail miserably,” he said in another tweet.

    Targeting the Congress, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, said, “George Ponnaiah who met Rahul Gandhi says ‘Jesus is the only God unlike Shakti (and other Gods)’.

    ALSO READ | ‘Facilities at campsites, containers basic; BJP trying to defame Bharat Jodo Yatra’: Congress

    This man was arrested for his Hindu hatred earlier – he also said ‘I wear shoes because impurities of Bharat Mata should not contaminate us’. Bharat Jodo with Bharat Todo icons.”

    The opposition had “anti-Hindu DNA” which keeps reflecting itself, he alleged, referring to “saffron terror” remarks of the Congress when it was in power.

    Countering Ramesh, Poonawalla said the Congress’s “factory of hate” was witnessed in 1984 riots against the Sikhs when the then prime minister sought to allegedly justify it.

    NEW DELHI: The BJP on Saturday cited a video of a Christian priest’s purported comments mentioning Hindu goddess Shakti during a conversation with Rahul Gandhi to allege it shows the “anti-Hindu” face of the opposition party, drawing a sharp reaction.

    The Congress accused the BJP of spreading mischief through its “hate factory” and alleged that the ruling party has turned more desperate ever since the successful launch of the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’.

    In the video shared by several BJP leaders among others, the priest identified as George Ponnaiah is purportedly heard telling Gandhi that Jesus Christ is the “real god revealed as a human being. Not like Shakti.”

    He was responding to the Congress leader’s query if Jesus is considered god or not.

    BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra claimed the video has exposed the reality of the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’.

    It insults goddess Shakti ahead of the beginning of Navratra, he told reporters.

    This is not the first time the Congress has been involved in such incidents as the party had earlier questioned the existence of Lord Ram, he said.

    During elections, Gandhi pretends to go to temples but the “anti-Hindu” face comes to the fore after the polls are over, he alleged.

    ALSO READ | BJP marks three years in office with ‘Jana Spandana’ event, Irani lashes out at Rahul over his ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’

    “Is this ‘Bharat Jodo’? Denouncing one religion for the appeasement of the other. This Hindu hatred of Congress in general and Rahul Gandhi, in particular, is no more a clandestine affair. Rahul wears it on his sleeves with pride! ‘Bharat-Todo’ indeed by Rahul Gandhi,” Patra said.

    AICC general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh said the BJP’s “hate factory” is sharing tweets about Gandhi which have no relation to the audio.

    “An atrocious tweet from the BJP hate factory is doing the rounds. It bears no relation whatsoever to what is recorded in the audio. This is typical BJP mischief that has become more desperate after the successful launch of Bharat Jodo Yatra which is evoking such a huge response,” Ramesh tweeted.

    “People who were responsible for the killing of Mahatma Gandhi and the murders of people like Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare, MM Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh are raising questions! What a morbid joke! Such attempts to damage the spirit of Bharat Jodo Yatra will fail miserably,” he said in another tweet.

    Targeting the Congress, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, said, “George Ponnaiah who met Rahul Gandhi says ‘Jesus is the only God unlike Shakti (and other Gods)’.

    ALSO READ | ‘Facilities at campsites, containers basic; BJP trying to defame Bharat Jodo Yatra’: Congress

    This man was arrested for his Hindu hatred earlier – he also said ‘I wear shoes because impurities of Bharat Mata should not contaminate us’. Bharat Jodo with Bharat Todo icons.”

    The opposition had “anti-Hindu DNA” which keeps reflecting itself, he alleged, referring to “saffron terror” remarks of the Congress when it was in power.

    Countering Ramesh, Poonawalla said the Congress’s “factory of hate” was witnessed in 1984 riots against the Sikhs when the then prime minister sought to allegedly justify it.

  • ‘Congress can only practice vote bank, appeasement politics’: Shah, Irani hit out at Rahul

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday targeted Rahul Gandhi over the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, saying the Congress leader had once said India is not a nation and is now out to “unite” the country wearing a “foreign-make” T-shirt.

    Addressing the Rajasthan BJP’s booth functionaries, he also hit out at the state government over the murder of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal by Muslim extremists and the Karauli violence and alleged the Congress can only practice politics of vote bank and appeasement.

    Taking aim at Gandhi, he said, “I want to remind Rahul baba and other Congress members about his speech given in Parliament.

    Rahul baba had said India is not a nation.

    Rahul baba, in which book have you read this? This is the nation for which lakhs and lakhs of people have sacrificed their lives.”

    “The one who said India is not a nation is now on a yatra to unite India wearing a foreign T-shirt,” he said, referring to the BJP’s swipe at the Congress leader for wearing a Burberry T-shirt reportedly costing over Rs 41,000.

    Gandhi is out to “connect” Bharat but he needs to study Indian history first, Shah said.

    He claimed that Congress cannot work for development.

    “It can only work for appeasement and vote bank politics.”

    The Congress, he said, will be left with nothing after the BJP forms government in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, the only two states where it is in power on its own.

    Union Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ questioning him on who has harmed the unity of India that required the opposition party to take out such a campaign.

    Making an indirect reference to Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, Irani also took a dig at Gandhi for being in the company of people who allegedly chanted “anti-India” slogans.

    “Rahul Gandhi is on the way to unite India but he should answer first who dared to break India. You make a person a member of your party who had shouted the slogan ‘Bharat Tere Tukde Honge, Insha Allah’,” Irani said at Doddaballapura in Bengaluru.

    She was addressing the gathering at the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ‘Jana Spandana’ programme celebrating the ruling party’s three years in office in Karnataka.

    Irani expressed her shock over Gandhi’s remark in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu that the fight is now against the structure of Indian state and the opposition.

    “With all seriousness, I am making this charge of sedition. I am shocked at Rahul Gandhi’s statement that he is fighting against the Indian state. You have waged a war against India. I am shocked by your hunger for power,” Irani, who represents Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, said.

    The Union Minister for Woman and Child Welfare charged that during Congress rule in Maharashtra a terrorist’s grave was beautified with marble tiles in Mumbai and that attacker was responsible for the killing of around 250 people.

    Irani also alleged that when the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fighting against COVID-19 pandemic and succeeded in developing an indigenous vaccine, the Congress was spreading lies asking people not to use it.

    She also slammed the ‘sycophants of Gandhi family’ for using derogatory remarks against President Droupadi Murmu, the first tribal person to hold the highest post in India.

    The Union minister charged that the Congress could not “digest” the statue of iconic freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose being inaugurated at ‘Kartavya Path’ in New Delhi as the party did not issue any statement favouring the step.

    JAIPUR: Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday targeted Rahul Gandhi over the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, saying the Congress leader had once said India is not a nation and is now out to “unite” the country wearing a “foreign-make” T-shirt.

    Addressing the Rajasthan BJP’s booth functionaries, he also hit out at the state government over the murder of Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal by Muslim extremists and the Karauli violence and alleged the Congress can only practice politics of vote bank and appeasement.

    Taking aim at Gandhi, he said, “I want to remind Rahul baba and other Congress members about his speech given in Parliament.

    Rahul baba had said India is not a nation.

    Rahul baba, in which book have you read this? This is the nation for which lakhs and lakhs of people have sacrificed their lives.”

    “The one who said India is not a nation is now on a yatra to unite India wearing a foreign T-shirt,” he said, referring to the BJP’s swipe at the Congress leader for wearing a Burberry T-shirt reportedly costing over Rs 41,000.

    Gandhi is out to “connect” Bharat but he needs to study Indian history first, Shah said.

    He claimed that Congress cannot work for development.

    “It can only work for appeasement and vote bank politics.”

    The Congress, he said, will be left with nothing after the BJP forms government in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, the only two states where it is in power on its own.

    Union Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ questioning him on who has harmed the unity of India that required the opposition party to take out such a campaign.

    Making an indirect reference to Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, Irani also took a dig at Gandhi for being in the company of people who allegedly chanted “anti-India” slogans.

    “Rahul Gandhi is on the way to unite India but he should answer first who dared to break India. You make a person a member of your party who had shouted the slogan ‘Bharat Tere Tukde Honge, Insha Allah’,” Irani said at Doddaballapura in Bengaluru.

    She was addressing the gathering at the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ‘Jana Spandana’ programme celebrating the ruling party’s three years in office in Karnataka.

    Irani expressed her shock over Gandhi’s remark in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu that the fight is now against the structure of Indian state and the opposition.

    “With all seriousness, I am making this charge of sedition. I am shocked at Rahul Gandhi’s statement that he is fighting against the Indian state. You have waged a war against India. I am shocked by your hunger for power,” Irani, who represents Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, said.

    The Union Minister for Woman and Child Welfare charged that during Congress rule in Maharashtra a terrorist’s grave was beautified with marble tiles in Mumbai and that attacker was responsible for the killing of around 250 people.

    Irani also alleged that when the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fighting against COVID-19 pandemic and succeeded in developing an indigenous vaccine, the Congress was spreading lies asking people not to use it.

    She also slammed the ‘sycophants of Gandhi family’ for using derogatory remarks against President Droupadi Murmu, the first tribal person to hold the highest post in India.

    The Union minister charged that the Congress could not “digest” the statue of iconic freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose being inaugurated at ‘Kartavya Path’ in New Delhi as the party did not issue any statement favouring the step.