News Analysis India

Tag: Bharat-Jodo Yatra

  • Facilities at campsites, containers ‘basic’; BJP trying to ‘defame’ yatra, says Congress

    By PTI

    KANYAKUMARI: Sixty truck-mounted containers with colour-coded occupant capacity, a 10-seater conference facility, mobile toilets and a dining area are some of the features of a “Bharat Jodo Yatra” campsite that moves daily to a new location.

    Rahul Gandhi is staying in a one-bed container with a small sofa, an air conditioner, a small refrigerator and an attached toilet.

    A pictorial representation of one of Mahatma Gandhi’s marches with his quote, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world”, is also put up in the former Congress chief’s container.

    The containers are colour-coded according to their occupant capacity. Those marked yellow are single-bed containers. The containers marked with blue have two beds each, with a washroom.

    The red and orange zone containers house bunk beds and a train compartment-like feel. There is also a pink zone for women yatris, with attached bathrooms.

    General camp guidelines put up in various containers state that consumption of liquor, tobacco and smoking is prohibited.

    The Congress said its “Bharat Yatris” were staying in containers which have very “basic and minimal” facilities, and claimed that the BJP was trying to “defame” its “Bharat Jodo Yatra” as it was rattled by it.

    The Opposition party alleged that the BJP IT cell was spreading falsehoods about the facilities at its yatra campsites and in containers.

    Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also took a dig at the BJP, saying this is not like the 1990 “Rath Yatra” a “Toyota yatra” or an “Innova yatra”, ours is a padyatra.

    The attack by the Opposition party came after it gave access to the media to its campsite in Nagercoil where the 60 containers were parked.

    About 230 people, including 119 “Bharat Yatris” who will walk the full 3,570 km from Kanyakumari to Kashmir will spend their nights in 60 containers mounted on trucks that will be moved daily from one place to another.

    Leaders such as Congress general secretaries K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh and Digvijaya Singh are staying in two-bed containers. There are also four-bed, six-bed, eight-bed and 12-bed containers. While some have attached toilets, others do not.

    Mobile toilets and showers, mounted on trucks, are also parked at the campsites. The site visited by the media was Scott Christian College, Nagercoil, where the yatris spent Thursday night.

    “We have 60 containers here. These containers move from one site to another. There is a one-bed container which Mr Rahul Gandhi uses. There is a two-bed container which Mr Digvijaya Singh, Mr K C Venugopal and I use, there is a four-bed, six-bed, eight-bed and 12-bed containers,” Ramesh told reporters.

    He said his container has two bunks and is like a second AC train compartment. There is an area for having meals at the campsite and a conference room container which can accommodate 10 people, Ramesh said.

    Hitting out at the BJP, Ramesh said they only have “propaganda” to peddle. “The allegations that have been made by the BJP IT cell with the encouragement of the prime minister (Narendra Modi) to defame the “Bharat Jodo Yatra” show that the BJP is rattled,” Ramesh said.

    The BJP is making these allegations in its nervousness, he claimed. “They should come and see what the reality is. We are not hiding anything, there is complete transparency. Look at the way we are staying, it would take about 160 days (to complete the Yatra),” he said.

    This is “very basic” and “very minimal”, Ramesh said. “I wish both Amit Shah and Amit Malviya see these containers and then they will know what it is to live in a container. This is not like the Rath Yatra. It is not a ‘Toyota yatra’ or an ‘Innova yatra’. Ours is a padyatra,” Ramesh said. The containers are not Made in China, he added.

    “The facilities are very basic. It is like what you would expect while travelling in a second AC rail compartment,” he said.

    “By 8 am these containers move to the next locations. We need two acres to accommodate these containers. We end up setting up camps in schools and colleges,” he said. He said the camp sites are mostly for the 119 ‘Bharat Yatris’, support staff and people managing the camps.

    Ramesh said the food for the yatris is being managed by the party’s state units.

    Rahul Gandhi, along with several of his party colleagues, embarked on the 3,570-km “Bharat Jodo Yatra” from here on Thursday.

    Amid sounds of drum beats, a sea of Tricolours and slogans of “Bharat jodo”, the march began from Vivekananda College Road, Agasteeswaram, on Thursday.

    The march would cover 12 states and two Union Territories in about five months. The march is moving in two batches from 7 am to 10.30 am and from 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm.

    While the morning session includes fewer participants, the evening session sees mass mobilisation. The participants plan to walk around 22-23 km daily. About 30 per cent of “Bharat Yatris” are women. The average age of “Bharat Yatris” is 38.

    About 50,000 citizens have also registered to participate in the yatra.

    It will pass through Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Nilambur, Mysuru, Bellary, Raichur, Vikarabad, Nanded, Jalgaon, Indore, Kota, Dausa, Alwar, Bulandshahr, Delhi, Ambala, Pathankot, Jammu, and end in Srinagar.

    KANYAKUMARI: Sixty truck-mounted containers with colour-coded occupant capacity, a 10-seater conference facility, mobile toilets and a dining area are some of the features of a “Bharat Jodo Yatra” campsite that moves daily to a new location.

    Rahul Gandhi is staying in a one-bed container with a small sofa, an air conditioner, a small refrigerator and an attached toilet.

    A pictorial representation of one of Mahatma Gandhi’s marches with his quote, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world”, is also put up in the former Congress chief’s container.

    The containers are colour-coded according to their occupant capacity. Those marked yellow are single-bed containers. The containers marked with blue have two beds each, with a washroom.

    The red and orange zone containers house bunk beds and a train compartment-like feel. There is also a pink zone for women yatris, with attached bathrooms.

    General camp guidelines put up in various containers state that consumption of liquor, tobacco and smoking is prohibited.

    The Congress said its “Bharat Yatris” were staying in containers which have very “basic and minimal” facilities, and claimed that the BJP was trying to “defame” its “Bharat Jodo Yatra” as it was rattled by it.

    The Opposition party alleged that the BJP IT cell was spreading falsehoods about the facilities at its yatra campsites and in containers.

    Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also took a dig at the BJP, saying this is not like the 1990 “Rath Yatra” a “Toyota yatra” or an “Innova yatra”, ours is a padyatra.

    The attack by the Opposition party came after it gave access to the media to its campsite in Nagercoil where the 60 containers were parked.

    About 230 people, including 119 “Bharat Yatris” who will walk the full 3,570 km from Kanyakumari to Kashmir will spend their nights in 60 containers mounted on trucks that will be moved daily from one place to another.

    Leaders such as Congress general secretaries K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh and Digvijaya Singh are staying in two-bed containers. There are also four-bed, six-bed, eight-bed and 12-bed containers. While some have attached toilets, others do not.

    Mobile toilets and showers, mounted on trucks, are also parked at the campsites. The site visited by the media was Scott Christian College, Nagercoil, where the yatris spent Thursday night.

    “We have 60 containers here. These containers move from one site to another. There is a one-bed container which Mr Rahul Gandhi uses. There is a two-bed container which Mr Digvijaya Singh, Mr K C Venugopal and I use, there is a four-bed, six-bed, eight-bed and 12-bed containers,” Ramesh told reporters.

    He said his container has two bunks and is like a second AC train compartment. There is an area for having meals at the campsite and a conference room container which can accommodate 10 people, Ramesh said.

    Hitting out at the BJP, Ramesh said they only have “propaganda” to peddle. “The allegations that have been made by the BJP IT cell with the encouragement of the prime minister (Narendra Modi) to defame the “Bharat Jodo Yatra” show that the BJP is rattled,” Ramesh said.

    The BJP is making these allegations in its nervousness, he claimed. “They should come and see what the reality is. We are not hiding anything, there is complete transparency. Look at the way we are staying, it would take about 160 days (to complete the Yatra),” he said.

    This is “very basic” and “very minimal”, Ramesh said. “I wish both Amit Shah and Amit Malviya see these containers and then they will know what it is to live in a container. This is not like the Rath Yatra. It is not a ‘Toyota yatra’ or an ‘Innova yatra’. Ours is a padyatra,” Ramesh said. The containers are not Made in China, he added.

    “The facilities are very basic. It is like what you would expect while travelling in a second AC rail compartment,” he said.

    “By 8 am these containers move to the next locations. We need two acres to accommodate these containers. We end up setting up camps in schools and colleges,” he said. He said the camp sites are mostly for the 119 ‘Bharat Yatris’, support staff and people managing the camps.

    Ramesh said the food for the yatris is being managed by the party’s state units.

    Rahul Gandhi, along with several of his party colleagues, embarked on the 3,570-km “Bharat Jodo Yatra” from here on Thursday.

    Amid sounds of drum beats, a sea of Tricolours and slogans of “Bharat jodo”, the march began from Vivekananda College Road, Agasteeswaram, on Thursday.

    The march would cover 12 states and two Union Territories in about five months. The march is moving in two batches from 7 am to 10.30 am and from 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm.

    While the morning session includes fewer participants, the evening session sees mass mobilisation. The participants plan to walk around 22-23 km daily. About 30 per cent of “Bharat Yatris” are women. The average age of “Bharat Yatris” is 38.

    About 50,000 citizens have also registered to participate in the yatra.

    It will pass through Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Nilambur, Mysuru, Bellary, Raichur, Vikarabad, Nanded, Jalgaon, Indore, Kota, Dausa, Alwar, Bulandshahr, Delhi, Ambala, Pathankot, Jammu, and end in Srinagar.

  • ‘Made my decision, will answer if I don’t stand for polls’: Rahul on being Congress chief again

    By PTI

    KANYAKUMARI: Keeping cards close to his chest, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said he has made the decision whether he wants to become the next party president or not and asserted he will give his reasons if he does not contest the upcoming elections.

    Gandhi was asked a slew of questions at a press conference on whether he would assume the mantle of the party president and he repeatedly said he would give an answer if he does not enter the fray, indicating that the likelihood of him sticking to his stance of not taking up party chief’s post is more.

    He also said the Bharat Jodo Yatra will help in forging Opposition unity even though that is a separate exercise.

    It is the responsibility of the entire Opposition to come together and discussions are in progress, he added.

    The Kanyakumari-Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra of the Congress began on Wednesday.

    Gandhi said he is not leading the yatra but is only participating in it.

    Asked if he would become the Congress president, he said, “Whether I become president or not, this will become very clear when the presidential elections of the Congress party take place.”

    “Wait till that time when that time happens you will see and if I don’t stand, you can ask me ‘why didn’t you stand’ and I will answer the question for you,” Gandhi told reporters.

    He, however, asserted that he has “very clearly” decided what he is going to do.

    “There is no confusion in my mind about what I am going to do,” he asserted.

    On being pressed on the issue by reporters, Gandhi reiterated that the election of the Congress president is going to happen and when that takes place, there will be clarity.

    The president’s election will take place and your questions will be answered, he told reporters.

    Gandhi had resigned as the Congress president in 2019 taking moral responsibility for the party’s poll drubbing in the Lok Sabha elections.

    Sonia Gandhi was appointed as the interim Congress president after Rahul Gandhu refused to withdraw his resignation.

    Nominations for the Congress president’s election will begin on September 24 and will end on September 30, and in case of a contest the election will be held on October 17 and the counting on October 19.

    The former Congress president also responded to the BJP over its ‘Parivar Bachao’ remark, saying the yatra is being undertaken to undo the damage done by the BJP-RSS of spreading hatred in the country.

    He said everybody has an opinion, the BJP has one and so does the RSS.

    “They are free to have. For us in rhe Congress, this is a journey and an attempt at understanding what is going on in India and an attempt at undoing the damages that have been done by BJP and RSS,” he said.

    Responding to a question on leading the yatra, Gandhi said to put it in prospective, the Congress has decided to do the padyatra across the country and as a member of the party and a person who agrees with its ideology, he is participating it.

    “I don’t see any contradiction in my participation in this yatra,” Gandhi said.

    On whether the yatra will strengthen the Congress and lead to its revival, Gandhi said the goal of the march is to connect with the people, counter the “damage that the RSS-BJP has done to the country and the hatred they have spread”.

    “Now, if the Congress party benefits from the yatra, that is good,” he added.

    Asked if the battle of ideologies he often talks about has entered a decisive phase, Gandhi said this battle has been going on for a couple of thousand years now between two different visions.

    “There have always been two different visions of India. One vision, which is rigid, controlling and another vision, which is plural, open minded and I think, this battle will continue. We are playing our role in this fight,” he said.

    Gandhi also alleged that the BJP has taken control of all the institutions of this country and have inserted their people in most of the institutions and they pressurize through these institutions.

    “You know the role of the CBI, of the ED, of the Income tax department. So, we are not fighting anymore a political party, we used to fight a political party. Now, the fight is not between one political party and another political party.

    Now the fight is between the structure of the Indian state and the opposition and everybody understands this,” he said.

    “This is not an easy fight. This is a difficult fight. Media is not with the opposition. Not because you don’t want to be, but, because you are under pressure, your owners have particular relationships, so this is not an easy fight and a lot of people don’t want to fight, lot of people feel, why get caught up. It is easier, to let go, make peace with the BJP, fold hands in front of them, and your life will be easier,” he said.

    Gandhi asserted this was neither his training nor his character.

    “My character is to fight for a certain idea of India, certain notion of this country and there are many-many people in the Congress Party and in the opposition, who are convinced of this fact,” he said.

    He also said India is not living in harmony and the country is divided along lines of religion and states.

    “People do not have employment; people do not have work, that is very clear. 2 or 3 big businesses are controlling everything; the third richest men is now in India, who is probably going to become the richest very soon, close confidante of the leader of the country, that is not harmonious. You have massive price rise, that is not harmonious. So, for me, India is a conversation between its people and that conversation has broken down,” Gandhi said.

    Asked about the names of cities, roads railway stations being changed, he said there is “total bankruptcy” in vision for what is to be done in future, so to divert attention, names are changed.

    His remark came a day after Prime Minister inaugurated the newly-christened Kartavya Path, the stretch of road from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate earlier known as Rajpath.

    Gandhi said it is not just the government but deeper than that – India is lacking now a vision for itself.

    He also said that the Congress is not against corporate India but against powerful monopolies and unfairness.

    Gandhi said he agreed to join this yatra because he believes in the ideals of the Congress and partially because he thought personally it will be a very good experience for him.

    “I thought it would be worthwhile to do that from a personal journey perspective. For me it is both these things. Of course these days in politics that is not fashionable. It is a different way if thinking about things, it is a different way of looking at things,” he said.

    “Hopefully I will get some understanding about myself and get some understanding about this beautiful country from this yatra and I think three-four months later, I will be wiser,” he added.

    KANYAKUMARI: Keeping cards close to his chest, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said he has made the decision whether he wants to become the next party president or not and asserted he will give his reasons if he does not contest the upcoming elections.

    Gandhi was asked a slew of questions at a press conference on whether he would assume the mantle of the party president and he repeatedly said he would give an answer if he does not enter the fray, indicating that the likelihood of him sticking to his stance of not taking up party chief’s post is more.

    He also said the Bharat Jodo Yatra will help in forging Opposition unity even though that is a separate exercise.

    It is the responsibility of the entire Opposition to come together and discussions are in progress, he added.

    The Kanyakumari-Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra of the Congress began on Wednesday.

    Gandhi said he is not leading the yatra but is only participating in it.

    Asked if he would become the Congress president, he said, “Whether I become president or not, this will become very clear when the presidential elections of the Congress party take place.”

    “Wait till that time when that time happens you will see and if I don’t stand, you can ask me ‘why didn’t you stand’ and I will answer the question for you,” Gandhi told reporters.

    He, however, asserted that he has “very clearly” decided what he is going to do.

    “There is no confusion in my mind about what I am going to do,” he asserted.

    On being pressed on the issue by reporters, Gandhi reiterated that the election of the Congress president is going to happen and when that takes place, there will be clarity.

    The president’s election will take place and your questions will be answered, he told reporters.

    Gandhi had resigned as the Congress president in 2019 taking moral responsibility for the party’s poll drubbing in the Lok Sabha elections.

    Sonia Gandhi was appointed as the interim Congress president after Rahul Gandhu refused to withdraw his resignation.

    Nominations for the Congress president’s election will begin on September 24 and will end on September 30, and in case of a contest the election will be held on October 17 and the counting on October 19.

    The former Congress president also responded to the BJP over its ‘Parivar Bachao’ remark, saying the yatra is being undertaken to undo the damage done by the BJP-RSS of spreading hatred in the country.

    He said everybody has an opinion, the BJP has one and so does the RSS.

    “They are free to have. For us in rhe Congress, this is a journey and an attempt at understanding what is going on in India and an attempt at undoing the damages that have been done by BJP and RSS,” he said.

    Responding to a question on leading the yatra, Gandhi said to put it in prospective, the Congress has decided to do the padyatra across the country and as a member of the party and a person who agrees with its ideology, he is participating it.

    “I don’t see any contradiction in my participation in this yatra,” Gandhi said.

    On whether the yatra will strengthen the Congress and lead to its revival, Gandhi said the goal of the march is to connect with the people, counter the “damage that the RSS-BJP has done to the country and the hatred they have spread”.

    “Now, if the Congress party benefits from the yatra, that is good,” he added.

    Asked if the battle of ideologies he often talks about has entered a decisive phase, Gandhi said this battle has been going on for a couple of thousand years now between two different visions.

    “There have always been two different visions of India. One vision, which is rigid, controlling and another vision, which is plural, open minded and I think, this battle will continue. We are playing our role in this fight,” he said.

    Gandhi also alleged that the BJP has taken control of all the institutions of this country and have inserted their people in most of the institutions and they pressurize through these institutions.

    “You know the role of the CBI, of the ED, of the Income tax department. So, we are not fighting anymore a political party, we used to fight a political party. Now, the fight is not between one political party and another political party.

    Now the fight is between the structure of the Indian state and the opposition and everybody understands this,” he said.

    “This is not an easy fight. This is a difficult fight. Media is not with the opposition. Not because you don’t want to be, but, because you are under pressure, your owners have particular relationships, so this is not an easy fight and a lot of people don’t want to fight, lot of people feel, why get caught up. It is easier, to let go, make peace with the BJP, fold hands in front of them, and your life will be easier,” he said.

    Gandhi asserted this was neither his training nor his character.

    “My character is to fight for a certain idea of India, certain notion of this country and there are many-many people in the Congress Party and in the opposition, who are convinced of this fact,” he said.

    He also said India is not living in harmony and the country is divided along lines of religion and states.

    “People do not have employment; people do not have work, that is very clear. 2 or 3 big businesses are controlling everything; the third richest men is now in India, who is probably going to become the richest very soon, close confidante of the leader of the country, that is not harmonious. You have massive price rise, that is not harmonious. So, for me, India is a conversation between its people and that conversation has broken down,” Gandhi said.

    Asked about the names of cities, roads railway stations being changed, he said there is “total bankruptcy” in vision for what is to be done in future, so to divert attention, names are changed.

    His remark came a day after Prime Minister inaugurated the newly-christened Kartavya Path, the stretch of road from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate earlier known as Rajpath.

    Gandhi said it is not just the government but deeper than that – India is lacking now a vision for itself.

    He also said that the Congress is not against corporate India but against powerful monopolies and unfairness.

    Gandhi said he agreed to join this yatra because he believes in the ideals of the Congress and partially because he thought personally it will be a very good experience for him.

    “I thought it would be worthwhile to do that from a personal journey perspective. For me it is both these things. Of course these days in politics that is not fashionable. It is a different way if thinking about things, it is a different way of looking at things,” he said.

    “Hopefully I will get some understanding about myself and get some understanding about this beautiful country from this yatra and I think three-four months later, I will be wiser,” he added.

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

    By PTI

    KANYAKUMARI: The Congress on Friday said its ‘Bharat Yatris’ were staying in containers which have very “basic and minimal” facilities, and claimed that the BJP was trying to “defame” its ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ as it was rattled by it.

    The Opposition party alleged that the BJP IT cell was spreading falsehoods about the facilities at its Yatra campsites and in containers.

    Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also took a dig at the BJP, saying this is not like the 1990 “Rath Yatra”, a Toyota Yatra or an Innova Yatra, ours is a Padyatra.

    The attack by the Opposition party came after it gave access to the media to its campsite in Nagercoil where the 60 containers were parked.

    About 230 people, including 119 Bharat Yatris who will walk the full 3,570 km from Kanyakumari to Kashmir will spend their nights in 60 containers mounted on trucks that will be moved daily from one place to another.

    Rahul Gandhi is staying in a one-bed container that has a small sofa, an air conditioner, a small refrigerator and an attached toilet.

    A pictorial representation of one of Mahatma Gandhi’s marches with his quote, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world”, is also put up in the former Congress chief’s container.

    ALSO READ | On day 2 of ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, Rahul hoists national flag, meets Anitha’s kin

    Leaders such as Congress general secretaries K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh and Digvijaya Singh are staying in two-bed containers.

    There are also four-bed, six-bed, eight-bed and 12-bed containers.

    While some have attached toilets, others do not.

    Mobile toilets and showers, mounted on trucks, are also parked at the campsites.

    The site visited by the media was Scott Christian College, Nagercoil, where the Yatris spent Thursday night.

    “We have 60 containers here. These containers move from one site to another. There is a one-bed container which Mr. Rahul Gandhi uses. There is a two-bed container which Mr. Digvijaya Singh, Mr K C Venugopal and I use, there is a four-bed, six bed, eight-bed and 12 bed containers,” Ramesh told reporters.

    He said his container has two bunks and is like a second AC train compartment.

    There is an area for having meals at the campsite and a conference room container which can accommodate 10 people, Ramesh said.

    Hitting out at the BJP, Ramesh said they only have “propaganda” to peddle.

    “The allegations that have been made by the BJP IT cell with the encouragement of the prime minister (Narendra Modi) to defame the Bharat Jodo Yatra show that the BJP is rattled,” Ramesh said.

    The BJP is making these allegations in its nervousness, he claimed.

    “They should come and see what the reality is. We are not hiding anything, there is complete transparency. Look at the way we are staying, it would take about 160 days (to complete the Yatra),” he said.

    This is “very basic” and “very minimal”, Ramesh said.

    “I wish both Amit Shah and Amit Malviya see these containers and then they will know what it is to live in a container. This is not like the Rath Yatra. It is not a Toyota Yatra or an Innova Yatra. Ours is a Padyatra,” Ramesh said.

    The containers are not Made in China, he added.

    The facilities are very basic.

    It is like what you would expect while travelling in a second AC rail compartment, he said.

    ALSO READ | Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra YouTube channel faces glitch on first day

    “By 8 AM these containers move to the next locations. We need two acres to accommodate these containers. We end up setting up camps in schools and colleges,” he said.

    He said the camp sites are mostly for the 119 ‘Bharat Yatris’, support staff and people managing the camps.

    Ramesh said the food for the Yatris is being managed by the party’s state units.

    On the second day of the actual Padyatra, which was launched at a rally on Wednesday, Gandhi along with other Bharat Yatris and party leaders began walking from the Nagercoil school after a flag hoisting ceremony which the party has said would be a daily routine.

    “Day 2 of the padayatra started with flag hoisting at 7 am in Nagercoil. Bharat Yatris were joined by 89-year-old freedom fighter Kodikal Sheikh Abdullah. He inspired everyone by highlighting the need to stand up, unite and fight for the soul of our nation,” Ramesh said in a tweet.

    Rahul Gandhi, along with several of his party colleagues, embarked on the 3,570-km “Bharat Jodo Yatra” from here on Thursday.

    Amid sounds of drum beats, a sea of tricolour and slogans of “Bharat Jodo”, the march began from Vivekananda College Road, Agasteeswaram here on Thursday.

    Walking briskly, Gandhi, along with several top Congress leaders, covered 13 km in the morning session of the yatra on Thursday.

    He walked about seven km in the evening when there was mass mobilisation and thousands walked along with the former Congress chief.

    The march would cover 12 states and two Union Territories in about five months.

    The march is moving in two batches from 7 am to 10:30 am and from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

    While the morning session includes fewer participants, the evening session sees mass mobilisation.

    The participants plan to walk around 22-23 km daily.

    ALSO READ | 60 containers for padyatris, different shoes: All you need to know about Congress’ logistics plans for ‘Bharat Jodo’ march

    About 30 per cent of ‘Bharat Yatris’ are women.

    The average age of Bharat Yatris is 38.

    About 50,000 citizens have also registered to participate in the Yatra.

    After reaching Kerala on September 11, the Yatra will traverse through the state for the next 19 days, reaching Karnataka on October 1.

    It will be in Karnataka for 21 days before moving north.

    It will pass through Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Nilambur, Mysuru, Bellary, Raichur, Vikarabad, Nanded, Jalgaon, Indore, Kota, Dausa, Alwar, Bulandshahr, Delhi, Ambala, Pathankot, Jammu, and end in Srinagar.

    KANYAKUMARI: The Congress on Friday said its ‘Bharat Yatris’ were staying in containers which have very “basic and minimal” facilities, and claimed that the BJP was trying to “defame” its ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ as it was rattled by it.

    The Opposition party alleged that the BJP IT cell was spreading falsehoods about the facilities at its Yatra campsites and in containers.

    Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also took a dig at the BJP, saying this is not like the 1990 “Rath Yatra”, a Toyota Yatra or an Innova Yatra, ours is a Padyatra.

    The attack by the Opposition party came after it gave access to the media to its campsite in Nagercoil where the 60 containers were parked.

    About 230 people, including 119 Bharat Yatris who will walk the full 3,570 km from Kanyakumari to Kashmir will spend their nights in 60 containers mounted on trucks that will be moved daily from one place to another.

    Rahul Gandhi is staying in a one-bed container that has a small sofa, an air conditioner, a small refrigerator and an attached toilet.

    A pictorial representation of one of Mahatma Gandhi’s marches with his quote, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world”, is also put up in the former Congress chief’s container.

    ALSO READ | On day 2 of ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, Rahul hoists national flag, meets Anitha’s kin

    Leaders such as Congress general secretaries K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh and Digvijaya Singh are staying in two-bed containers.

    There are also four-bed, six-bed, eight-bed and 12-bed containers.

    While some have attached toilets, others do not.

    Mobile toilets and showers, mounted on trucks, are also parked at the campsites.

    The site visited by the media was Scott Christian College, Nagercoil, where the Yatris spent Thursday night.

    “We have 60 containers here. These containers move from one site to another. There is a one-bed container which Mr. Rahul Gandhi uses. There is a two-bed container which Mr. Digvijaya Singh, Mr K C Venugopal and I use, there is a four-bed, six bed, eight-bed and 12 bed containers,” Ramesh told reporters.

    He said his container has two bunks and is like a second AC train compartment.

    There is an area for having meals at the campsite and a conference room container which can accommodate 10 people, Ramesh said.

    Hitting out at the BJP, Ramesh said they only have “propaganda” to peddle.

    “The allegations that have been made by the BJP IT cell with the encouragement of the prime minister (Narendra Modi) to defame the Bharat Jodo Yatra show that the BJP is rattled,” Ramesh said.

    The BJP is making these allegations in its nervousness, he claimed.

    “They should come and see what the reality is. We are not hiding anything, there is complete transparency. Look at the way we are staying, it would take about 160 days (to complete the Yatra),” he said.

    This is “very basic” and “very minimal”, Ramesh said.

    “I wish both Amit Shah and Amit Malviya see these containers and then they will know what it is to live in a container. This is not like the Rath Yatra. It is not a Toyota Yatra or an Innova Yatra. Ours is a Padyatra,” Ramesh said.

    The containers are not Made in China, he added.

    The facilities are very basic.

    It is like what you would expect while travelling in a second AC rail compartment, he said.

    ALSO READ | Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra YouTube channel faces glitch on first day

    “By 8 AM these containers move to the next locations. We need two acres to accommodate these containers. We end up setting up camps in schools and colleges,” he said.

    He said the camp sites are mostly for the 119 ‘Bharat Yatris’, support staff and people managing the camps.

    Ramesh said the food for the Yatris is being managed by the party’s state units.

    On the second day of the actual Padyatra, which was launched at a rally on Wednesday, Gandhi along with other Bharat Yatris and party leaders began walking from the Nagercoil school after a flag hoisting ceremony which the party has said would be a daily routine.

    “Day 2 of the padayatra started with flag hoisting at 7 am in Nagercoil. Bharat Yatris were joined by 89-year-old freedom fighter Kodikal Sheikh Abdullah. He inspired everyone by highlighting the need to stand up, unite and fight for the soul of our nation,” Ramesh said in a tweet.

    Rahul Gandhi, along with several of his party colleagues, embarked on the 3,570-km “Bharat Jodo Yatra” from here on Thursday.

    Amid sounds of drum beats, a sea of tricolour and slogans of “Bharat Jodo”, the march began from Vivekananda College Road, Agasteeswaram here on Thursday.

    Walking briskly, Gandhi, along with several top Congress leaders, covered 13 km in the morning session of the yatra on Thursday.

    He walked about seven km in the evening when there was mass mobilisation and thousands walked along with the former Congress chief.

    The march would cover 12 states and two Union Territories in about five months.

    The march is moving in two batches from 7 am to 10:30 am and from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

    While the morning session includes fewer participants, the evening session sees mass mobilisation.

    The participants plan to walk around 22-23 km daily.

    ALSO READ | 60 containers for padyatris, different shoes: All you need to know about Congress’ logistics plans for ‘Bharat Jodo’ march

    About 30 per cent of ‘Bharat Yatris’ are women.

    The average age of Bharat Yatris is 38.

    About 50,000 citizens have also registered to participate in the Yatra.

    After reaching Kerala on September 11, the Yatra will traverse through the state for the next 19 days, reaching Karnataka on October 1.

    It will be in Karnataka for 21 days before moving north.

    It will pass through Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Nilambur, Mysuru, Bellary, Raichur, Vikarabad, Nanded, Jalgaon, Indore, Kota, Dausa, Alwar, Bulandshahr, Delhi, Ambala, Pathankot, Jammu, and end in Srinagar.

  • 60 containers for padyatris, different shoes: All you need to know about Congress’ logistics plans for ‘Bharat Jodo’ march

    By PTI

    KANYAKUMARI: About 230 Congress “padyatris” participating in the party’s ambitious “Bharat Jodo Yatra” will spend their nights in 60 containers mounted on trucks that will be moved daily from one place to another, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Thursday.

    As former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and scores of party workers began the 3,570-km campaign from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Ramesh told reporters after the morning session of the yatra that in the containers, which will be stationed every night at temporary campsites of about two acres, there is no facility for having food or meetings.

    There is no TV inside, there is a fan, he said.

    The 119 “Bharat Yatris”, including Rahul Gandhi, who will walk the entire distance of 3,570 km, along with some “Atithi Yatris” , will be staying in the containers, Ramesh said.

    “We are staying in the containers since yesterday. There are 60 containers in which about 230 people stay. Every day the containers will move to a new site mounted on trucks. Some are one-bed, some two-bed, some four-bed and some 12-bed containers,” Ramesh said.

    Rahul Gandhi is also staying in the container since Wednesday night, he said.

    Bharat Jodo Yatra organising panel chief Digvijaya Singh said the containers are like railway sleeper compartments.

    Asked if there were air conditioners in the containers, Singh said there was no need for using the AC in such weather.

    Late in the night, the party released videos of the containers.

    ALSO READ | On day 2 of ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, Rahul hoists national flag, meets Anitha’s kin

    Congress sources said the videos were of the campsite where all “Bharat Yatris” are being put up every night.

    The videos were of containers with 12 beds, four beds, two beds and one bed.

    The party also shared a video of a toilet container and the dining hall at the campsite.

    Some containers had attached toilets and washrooms.

    Some containers were seen fitted with air conditioners, as per the videos.

    This should debunk the “absolute lies” being peddled by the IT cell of the BJP and its surrogates, the party sources said.

    Elaborating on the containers, Ramesh earlier said they are mounted on TATA trucks that are from Mumbai.

    They are from a private company that is not undertaken by Adani, he said, adding there will be mobile toilets for the yatris at the campsites.

    Singh also said it has been decided that from places where the yatra is not passing, water and soil will be brought and 5-10 saplings will be planted by Rahul Gandhi at various places where the yatra halts.

    On Thursday, Gandhi planted saplings at the 101-year-old SMSM Higher Secondary School, where the Congress yatris halted between the morning and evening session.

    Incidentally, Mahatma Gandhi and C Rajagopalachari had also visited the school in 1937.

    Mahatma Gandhi had also signed the visitors’ book in Hindi and Tamil.

    After the evening session of the yatra, Ramesh tweeted, “We have just completed Day 1 of Bharat Jodo Yatra.

    Bharat Yatris walked about 20 kms.

    It’s a great beginning for the first day.

    The crowds have been huge and their enthusiasm is visible.

    ‘Headlinejeevi’ will do a lot to distract attention but only those who walk the talk count! he said.

    ALSO READ | Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra YouTube channel faces glitch on first day

    At the school, Rahul Gandhi had three interactions with civil society after the 13-km padayatra this morning.

    First was with women activists, second with Dalit groups and third with environmentalists.

    During the interactions, representations were handed over.

    This pattern will continue every day of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Ramesh said.

    He said the yatris will halt in Scott Christian College on Thursday night.

    Singh said the food at the camp sites and during the “padyatra” is being arranged by the party’s state units.

    He said that on every day of the yatra the flag will be saluted and there will be a rendition of Vande Matram and the national anthem.

    The yatra formation would include a Seva Dal flag contingent in front, then “Bharat Yatris” and followed by state and other yatris as well as civil society members.

    Ramesh also alleged that the party’s state-level coordinator who wanted to visit Lakshadweep was not allowed to do so by Administrator Praful Patel, who was a BJP minister in Gujarat earlier.

    The “Bharat Yatris” have also been issued standard khadi bags, which have a water bottle, an umbrella and a pair of T-shirts.

    The march will cover 12 states and two union territories in 150 days.

    Asics and Adidas, no-fuss everyday shoes and some even barefeet, as Congress leaders and workers hit the road for their ambitious 3,570 km Bharat Jodo Yatra, shoes are the sole — but not only — concern.

    The dress code is white and Congressmen and women are mostly adhering to it.

    Adding a splash of colour in that sea of monochrome is the sheer variety of footwear.

    If former party president Rahul Gandhi chose a pair of sturdy blue Asics shoes, according to party insiders, general secretary Jairam Ramesh went for Adidas.

    Their party colleague Kanhaiya Kumar said he doesn’t need any special footwear and the party’s in-charge for training Sandesh Sachin Rao walked the first day of the yatra barefeet.

    Rahul Gandhi, along with several party leaders, embarked on the Bharat Jodo Yatra on Thursday, marking the beginning of a cross-country outreach campaign from Kanyakumari to Kashmir aimed at reviving its electoral fortunes.

    As they walk the political talk, several leaders are carrying multiple pairs of shoes.

    Rahul Gandhi, sources said, is carrying a couple of pairs of shoes in readiness to walk an average of 22-23 km a day.

    Ramesh, the party’s general secretary in charge of communications, found Adidas the most comfortable.

    “I decided that since I am going to be walking such long distances, I need to be comfortable. So I tried out five different brands. I found this Adidas pair very comfortable.”

    ALSO READ | ‘Congress will emerge in aggressive avatar with Bharat Jodo Yatra, won’t be taken for granted’: Jairam Ramesh

    Asked about Congress leaders sporting sports shoes for the Yatra, Ramesh said, “I am sure they have invested in shoes.”

    While many Congress leaders were seen wearing sports shoes keeping in mind the walk ahead, there were some who seemed unfazed by the long distance.

    Asked if he got a new pair of shoes for the long distance ahead of the yatra, ‘Bharat Yatri’ Kanhaiya Kumar said he doesn’t need any special footwear; he is from Bihar and always prepared to walk long distances.

    The ‘Bharat Yatris’ are those who will walk the entire 3,570 km distance.

    The 119 Congressmen and women were seen wearing largely white attire, kurta-pyjama, shirts, T-shirts, saris and salwar-suits.

    The Bharat Yatris have also been issued standard Khadi bags which have a water bottle, an umbrella and a pair of T-shirts.

    The march will cover 12 states and two Union Territories in 150 days.

    KANYAKUMARI: About 230 Congress “padyatris” participating in the party’s ambitious “Bharat Jodo Yatra” will spend their nights in 60 containers mounted on trucks that will be moved daily from one place to another, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Thursday.

    As former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and scores of party workers began the 3,570-km campaign from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Ramesh told reporters after the morning session of the yatra that in the containers, which will be stationed every night at temporary campsites of about two acres, there is no facility for having food or meetings.

    There is no TV inside, there is a fan, he said.

    The 119 “Bharat Yatris”, including Rahul Gandhi, who will walk the entire distance of 3,570 km, along with some “Atithi Yatris” , will be staying in the containers, Ramesh said.

    “We are staying in the containers since yesterday. There are 60 containers in which about 230 people stay. Every day the containers will move to a new site mounted on trucks. Some are one-bed, some two-bed, some four-bed and some 12-bed containers,” Ramesh said.

    Rahul Gandhi is also staying in the container since Wednesday night, he said.

    Bharat Jodo Yatra organising panel chief Digvijaya Singh said the containers are like railway sleeper compartments.

    Asked if there were air conditioners in the containers, Singh said there was no need for using the AC in such weather.

    Late in the night, the party released videos of the containers.

    ALSO READ | On day 2 of ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, Rahul hoists national flag, meets Anitha’s kin

    Congress sources said the videos were of the campsite where all “Bharat Yatris” are being put up every night.

    The videos were of containers with 12 beds, four beds, two beds and one bed.

    The party also shared a video of a toilet container and the dining hall at the campsite.

    Some containers had attached toilets and washrooms.

    Some containers were seen fitted with air conditioners, as per the videos.

    This should debunk the “absolute lies” being peddled by the IT cell of the BJP and its surrogates, the party sources said.

    Elaborating on the containers, Ramesh earlier said they are mounted on TATA trucks that are from Mumbai.

    They are from a private company that is not undertaken by Adani, he said, adding there will be mobile toilets for the yatris at the campsites.

    Singh also said it has been decided that from places where the yatra is not passing, water and soil will be brought and 5-10 saplings will be planted by Rahul Gandhi at various places where the yatra halts.

    On Thursday, Gandhi planted saplings at the 101-year-old SMSM Higher Secondary School, where the Congress yatris halted between the morning and evening session.

    Incidentally, Mahatma Gandhi and C Rajagopalachari had also visited the school in 1937.

    Mahatma Gandhi had also signed the visitors’ book in Hindi and Tamil.

    After the evening session of the yatra, Ramesh tweeted, “We have just completed Day 1 of Bharat Jodo Yatra.

    Bharat Yatris walked about 20 kms.

    It’s a great beginning for the first day.

    The crowds have been huge and their enthusiasm is visible.

    ‘Headlinejeevi’ will do a lot to distract attention but only those who walk the talk count! he said.

    ALSO READ | Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra YouTube channel faces glitch on first day

    At the school, Rahul Gandhi had three interactions with civil society after the 13-km padayatra this morning.

    First was with women activists, second with Dalit groups and third with environmentalists.

    During the interactions, representations were handed over.

    This pattern will continue every day of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Ramesh said.

    He said the yatris will halt in Scott Christian College on Thursday night.

    Singh said the food at the camp sites and during the “padyatra” is being arranged by the party’s state units.

    He said that on every day of the yatra the flag will be saluted and there will be a rendition of Vande Matram and the national anthem.

    The yatra formation would include a Seva Dal flag contingent in front, then “Bharat Yatris” and followed by state and other yatris as well as civil society members.

    Ramesh also alleged that the party’s state-level coordinator who wanted to visit Lakshadweep was not allowed to do so by Administrator Praful Patel, who was a BJP minister in Gujarat earlier.

    The “Bharat Yatris” have also been issued standard khadi bags, which have a water bottle, an umbrella and a pair of T-shirts.

    The march will cover 12 states and two union territories in 150 days.

    Asics and Adidas, no-fuss everyday shoes and some even barefeet, as Congress leaders and workers hit the road for their ambitious 3,570 km Bharat Jodo Yatra, shoes are the sole — but not only — concern.

    The dress code is white and Congressmen and women are mostly adhering to it.

    Adding a splash of colour in that sea of monochrome is the sheer variety of footwear.

    If former party president Rahul Gandhi chose a pair of sturdy blue Asics shoes, according to party insiders, general secretary Jairam Ramesh went for Adidas.

    Their party colleague Kanhaiya Kumar said he doesn’t need any special footwear and the party’s in-charge for training Sandesh Sachin Rao walked the first day of the yatra barefeet.

    Rahul Gandhi, along with several party leaders, embarked on the Bharat Jodo Yatra on Thursday, marking the beginning of a cross-country outreach campaign from Kanyakumari to Kashmir aimed at reviving its electoral fortunes.

    As they walk the political talk, several leaders are carrying multiple pairs of shoes.

    Rahul Gandhi, sources said, is carrying a couple of pairs of shoes in readiness to walk an average of 22-23 km a day.

    Ramesh, the party’s general secretary in charge of communications, found Adidas the most comfortable.

    “I decided that since I am going to be walking such long distances, I need to be comfortable. So I tried out five different brands. I found this Adidas pair very comfortable.”

    ALSO READ | ‘Congress will emerge in aggressive avatar with Bharat Jodo Yatra, won’t be taken for granted’: Jairam Ramesh

    Asked about Congress leaders sporting sports shoes for the Yatra, Ramesh said, “I am sure they have invested in shoes.”

    While many Congress leaders were seen wearing sports shoes keeping in mind the walk ahead, there were some who seemed unfazed by the long distance.

    Asked if he got a new pair of shoes for the long distance ahead of the yatra, ‘Bharat Yatri’ Kanhaiya Kumar said he doesn’t need any special footwear; he is from Bihar and always prepared to walk long distances.

    The ‘Bharat Yatris’ are those who will walk the entire 3,570 km distance.

    The 119 Congressmen and women were seen wearing largely white attire, kurta-pyjama, shirts, T-shirts, saris and salwar-suits.

    The Bharat Yatris have also been issued standard Khadi bags which have a water bottle, an umbrella and a pair of T-shirts.

    The march will cover 12 states and two Union Territories in 150 days.

  • ‘India’s second freedom struggle’: Chidambaram, Sonia hail ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’; Anand Sharma extends ‘best wishes’ to Rahul

    By PTI

    KANYAKUMARI: Bharat Jodo Yatra, launched by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, is the country’s second freedom struggle and it will go on till the divisive forces are defeated, Congress senior leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram said.

    Lashing out at the BJP for criticising the nationwide yatra, he said the BJP would have no role in this second freedom struggle, which will see that party decimated.

    “I wish to tell those criticising our Bharat Jodo Yatra that you had no role in India’s freedom struggle during which Mahatma Gandhi gave the slogan: do or die. Now too, you will have no role. Our journey will not end till the divisive forces are defeated,” Chidambaram said addressing the rally near the Gandhi Mandapam here in the presence of Rahul Gandhi.

    The BJP leaders belittled the Congress yatra, as they apparently did not want the nation to remain united.

    “When we say let’s unite, they say divide,” he said indicating that the saffron party’s attempt to divide the nation will not fructify.

    Congress president Sonia Gandhi described the “Bharat Jodo Yatra” on Wednesday as a landmark occasion and hoped that the 3,500-km foot march would help rejuvenate the party.

    In her message read out at the rally in Kanyakumari, Gandhi said she would be participating in the yatra daily in thought and spirit.

    “In view of the medical check-ups that I am undergoing, I regret my inability to be with all of you in person this momentous evening to launch the historic Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.

    “This is a landmark occasion for our great party with such a glorious legacy — the Indian National Congress. I am confident that our organisation will be rejuvenated,” Gandhi said in her message.

    She also described the occasion as a “transformational moment in Indian politics”.

    Gandhi congratulated the 120-odd party colleagues who will complete the entire “padyatra” and said there will be hundreds and thousands of others who will join the march in different states.

    “I extend my greetings to them as well,” she said.

    “Speaking for myself, I will be participating in the Bharat Jodo Yatra daily in thought and spirit. I will, of course, be seeing the yatra live as it progresses. So, let us move forward united and firm in our resolve,” the Congress president said.

    The occasion also saw the handing over of the national flag to officially mark the start of the “padayatra”, which the Congress has described as the longest ever undertaken by any political party in independent India.

    Senior Congress leader and prominent G-23 member Anand Sharma on Wednesday conveyed his best wishes to former party president Rahul Gandhi for its ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, saying it seeks to uphold India’s inclusive democracy and strengthen unity.

    Sharma is among the G-23 leaders who had sought an organisational overhaul and elections at all levels, in a letter to the Congress president in August 2020.

    The former Union minister said he was looking forward to joining the over 3,500-km yatra when it reaches near his home state Himachal Pradesh, which will go to polls later this year.

    “Expressing my solidarity and conveying best wishes to Rahul Gandhi and all Yatris. Bharat Jodo yatra is a mission to uphold India’s inclusive democracy, to mobilise people against injustice, inequality and intolerance.

    Also a commitment to strengthen national unity,” he said on Twitter.

    “Looking forward to join the Yatra when it reaches near my home state of Himachal enroute to Jammu-Kashmir,” he added.

    The Bharat Jodo Yatra is starting from Kanyakumari on Thursday morning and will end in Kashmir after traversing through 12 states and two Union territories in about five months.

    The Congress has described it as the longest ‘padyatra’ undertaken by any political party in the country.

    The party said it is a turning point in Indian politics and marks a “new beginning”.

    “September 7 2022. A day when India’s oldest political party will launch the longest padyatra ever undertaken. It is a sombre day, a day for quiet reflection and renewed resolve,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet.

    “This is a turning point in Indian politics. It marks a new beginning,” he said.

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

    KANYAKUMARI: Bharat Jodo Yatra, launched by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, is the country’s second freedom struggle and it will go on till the divisive forces are defeated, Congress senior leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram said.

    Lashing out at the BJP for criticising the nationwide yatra, he said the BJP would have no role in this second freedom struggle, which will see that party decimated.

    “I wish to tell those criticising our Bharat Jodo Yatra that you had no role in India’s freedom struggle during which Mahatma Gandhi gave the slogan: do or die. Now too, you will have no role. Our journey will not end till the divisive forces are defeated,” Chidambaram said addressing the rally near the Gandhi Mandapam here in the presence of Rahul Gandhi.

    The BJP leaders belittled the Congress yatra, as they apparently did not want the nation to remain united.

    “When we say let’s unite, they say divide,” he said indicating that the saffron party’s attempt to divide the nation will not fructify.

    Congress president Sonia Gandhi described the “Bharat Jodo Yatra” on Wednesday as a landmark occasion and hoped that the 3,500-km foot march would help rejuvenate the party.

    In her message read out at the rally in Kanyakumari, Gandhi said she would be participating in the yatra daily in thought and spirit.

    “In view of the medical check-ups that I am undergoing, I regret my inability to be with all of you in person this momentous evening to launch the historic Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.

    “This is a landmark occasion for our great party with such a glorious legacy — the Indian National Congress. I am confident that our organisation will be rejuvenated,” Gandhi said in her message.

    She also described the occasion as a “transformational moment in Indian politics”.

    Gandhi congratulated the 120-odd party colleagues who will complete the entire “padyatra” and said there will be hundreds and thousands of others who will join the march in different states.

    “I extend my greetings to them as well,” she said.

    “Speaking for myself, I will be participating in the Bharat Jodo Yatra daily in thought and spirit. I will, of course, be seeing the yatra live as it progresses. So, let us move forward united and firm in our resolve,” the Congress president said.

    The occasion also saw the handing over of the national flag to officially mark the start of the “padayatra”, which the Congress has described as the longest ever undertaken by any political party in independent India.

    Senior Congress leader and prominent G-23 member Anand Sharma on Wednesday conveyed his best wishes to former party president Rahul Gandhi for its ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, saying it seeks to uphold India’s inclusive democracy and strengthen unity.

    Sharma is among the G-23 leaders who had sought an organisational overhaul and elections at all levels, in a letter to the Congress president in August 2020.

    The former Union minister said he was looking forward to joining the over 3,500-km yatra when it reaches near his home state Himachal Pradesh, which will go to polls later this year.

    “Expressing my solidarity and conveying best wishes to Rahul Gandhi and all Yatris. Bharat Jodo yatra is a mission to uphold India’s inclusive democracy, to mobilise people against injustice, inequality and intolerance.

    Also a commitment to strengthen national unity,” he said on Twitter.

    “Looking forward to join the Yatra when it reaches near my home state of Himachal enroute to Jammu-Kashmir,” he added.

    The Bharat Jodo Yatra is starting from Kanyakumari on Thursday morning and will end in Kashmir after traversing through 12 states and two Union territories in about five months.

    The Congress has described it as the longest ‘padyatra’ undertaken by any political party in the country.

    The party said it is a turning point in Indian politics and marks a “new beginning”.

    “September 7 2022. A day when India’s oldest political party will launch the longest padyatra ever undertaken. It is a sombre day, a day for quiet reflection and renewed resolve,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet.

    “This is a turning point in Indian politics. It marks a new beginning,” he said.

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

  • ‘India faces its worst-ever economic crisis, heading towards disaster’: Rahul attacks BJP

    By PTI

    KANYAKUMARI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said India is facing its “worst-ever economic crisis” and is heading towards a “disaster”, while also alleging that a handful of large businesses are controlling the country with the help of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Speaking at the launch of the Congress’ ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ at a rally here, Gandhi said during the British period, there was one East India Company that controlled the country, now there are three-four companies doing so.

    “Today, India faces its worst-ever economic crisis. The highest level of unemployment that we have ever seen and the country is heading into a disaster,” he said.

    “Unfortunately, our friends in the media are fully controlled,” the former Congress chief alleged in his speech that was being simultaneously translated into Tamil by an interpreter.

    Gandhi said everybody understands the economic situation in the country.

    However, one would never see unemployment or price rise on television and only the image of the prime minister.

    “The BJP government has systematically attacked farmers, labourers, and small and medium businesses of this country,” he said.

    A handful of large businesses control the entire country today, Gandhi alleged.

    Ports, airports, coal, power, telecom, every single industry is controlled by a handful of businesses, he claimed.

    “The prime minister will not last one day without their support. They control the media and they ensure that the PM is on TV 24 hours a day. In exchange, the PM carries out policies that are in their interest,” Gandhi alleged.

    He said demonetisation, a flawed Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, and the three farm laws were all designed to help the same few businessmen.

    “The idea is very similar to what the British used to do, divide India, make Indians fight with each other and then steal from the Indian people. In those days, it used to be called the East India Company, it was one big company that controlled the whole of India,” Gandhi said.

    Today, there are three-four big companies that control the entire India, he alleged.

    Policies like demonetisation, GST, and farm laws are designed to take away from the future of India and from the poor people of India, he said.

    Asserting that jobs are created by small and medium businesses and farmers, Gandhi said today small and medium businesses have been crippled by the BJP’s policies and farmers are barely surviving.

    “So the result is, it is impossible for India to create jobs for its youngsters. While our youngsters cannot earn, the prices keep going up. So, we are heading into bad times,” he said.

    Gandhi stressed that it is very important to bring the people of India together and make sure that “we are united so that India is strong”.

    That is the aim of the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, he added.

    “The ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ is designed to listen to the people of India. We do not want to crush the voice of the people of India,” Gandhi asserted.

    “We want to listen to the people of India,” he added.

    Earlier in the day, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi paid floral tributes to his father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi at the latter’s memorial in Sriperumbudur and said he lost his father to “hate and division” and does not want to lose his country to it.

    The Congress leader also attended an event in Kanyakumari where Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Rajasthan’s Ashok Gehlot and Chhattisgarh’s Bhupesh Baghel were present.

    In a symbolic gesture on the commencement of the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, Stalin handed over the national flag to Gandhi and the two leaders saluted the tricolour, signifying the broad theme of unity.

    Earlier, Stalin welcomed him here and joined the Congress leader at the prayer meet at the Gandhi Memorial.

    After the event at the Mahatma Gandhi Mandapam, Gandhi and other Congress leaders walked to the seaside venue of the rally and the yatra was formally launched.

    KANYAKUMARI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said India is facing its “worst-ever economic crisis” and is heading towards a “disaster”, while also alleging that a handful of large businesses are controlling the country with the help of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Speaking at the launch of the Congress’ ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ at a rally here, Gandhi said during the British period, there was one East India Company that controlled the country, now there are three-four companies doing so.

    “Today, India faces its worst-ever economic crisis. The highest level of unemployment that we have ever seen and the country is heading into a disaster,” he said.

    “Unfortunately, our friends in the media are fully controlled,” the former Congress chief alleged in his speech that was being simultaneously translated into Tamil by an interpreter.

    Gandhi said everybody understands the economic situation in the country.

    However, one would never see unemployment or price rise on television and only the image of the prime minister.

    “The BJP government has systematically attacked farmers, labourers, and small and medium businesses of this country,” he said.

    A handful of large businesses control the entire country today, Gandhi alleged.

    Ports, airports, coal, power, telecom, every single industry is controlled by a handful of businesses, he claimed.

    “The prime minister will not last one day without their support. They control the media and they ensure that the PM is on TV 24 hours a day. In exchange, the PM carries out policies that are in their interest,” Gandhi alleged.

    He said demonetisation, a flawed Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, and the three farm laws were all designed to help the same few businessmen.

    “The idea is very similar to what the British used to do, divide India, make Indians fight with each other and then steal from the Indian people. In those days, it used to be called the East India Company, it was one big company that controlled the whole of India,” Gandhi said.

    Today, there are three-four big companies that control the entire India, he alleged.

    Policies like demonetisation, GST, and farm laws are designed to take away from the future of India and from the poor people of India, he said.

    Asserting that jobs are created by small and medium businesses and farmers, Gandhi said today small and medium businesses have been crippled by the BJP’s policies and farmers are barely surviving.

    “So the result is, it is impossible for India to create jobs for its youngsters. While our youngsters cannot earn, the prices keep going up. So, we are heading into bad times,” he said.

    Gandhi stressed that it is very important to bring the people of India together and make sure that “we are united so that India is strong”.

    That is the aim of the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, he added.

    “The ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ is designed to listen to the people of India. We do not want to crush the voice of the people of India,” Gandhi asserted.

    “We want to listen to the people of India,” he added.

    Earlier in the day, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi paid floral tributes to his father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi at the latter’s memorial in Sriperumbudur and said he lost his father to “hate and division” and does not want to lose his country to it.

    The Congress leader also attended an event in Kanyakumari where Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Rajasthan’s Ashok Gehlot and Chhattisgarh’s Bhupesh Baghel were present.

    In a symbolic gesture on the commencement of the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, Stalin handed over the national flag to Gandhi and the two leaders saluted the tricolour, signifying the broad theme of unity.

    Earlier, Stalin welcomed him here and joined the Congress leader at the prayer meet at the Gandhi Memorial.

    After the event at the Mahatma Gandhi Mandapam, Gandhi and other Congress leaders walked to the seaside venue of the rally and the yatra was formally launched.

  • ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’: Rahul Gandhi to sleep in container for next 150 days

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who embarks on ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ from Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari today, will be staying in a container for the next 150 days.

    In what is being seen as ‘masterstroke’ of the Congress to take on the Narendra Modi government in the upcoming 2024 elections, the Congress launched the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ on Wednesday in which Rahul Gandhi will start the 3,570 km journey lasting about 150 days from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.

    The party has made it clear that he will not stay in any hotel but rather will complete the entire journey in a simple manner.

    Rahul Gandhi is going to stay in the container for the next 150 days.

    Sleeping beds, toilets and air-conditioners are also installed in some of the containers.

    Arrangements have been made keeping in view the intense heat and humidity with the change of places.

    “About 60 such containers have been prepared and sent to Kanyakumari where a village has been set up in which all these containers have been placed. The container will be parked in a new place every day in the shape of a village for night rest. Full-time Yatris who stay with Rahul Gandhi will eat together and stay close,” said the sources.

    The sources further said that Rahul Gandhi considers the Bharat Jodo Yatra journey as a way to connect with the common people.

    “So he wants to complete this entire journey in a simple way away from the glitz and glamour. Rahul Gandhi calls it a journey but political analysts consider it a preparation for 2024,” the sources added.

    The yatra will proceed mainly through 12 states, including Himachal Pradesh, where Assembly polls are due later this year.

    Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra launch HIGHLIGHTS | Millions of people feel need to take action that brings India together: Rahul

    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who embarks on ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ from Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari today, will be staying in a container for the next 150 days.

    In what is being seen as ‘masterstroke’ of the Congress to take on the Narendra Modi government in the upcoming 2024 elections, the Congress launched the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ on Wednesday in which Rahul Gandhi will start the 3,570 km journey lasting about 150 days from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.

    The party has made it clear that he will not stay in any hotel but rather will complete the entire journey in a simple manner.

    Rahul Gandhi is going to stay in the container for the next 150 days.

    Sleeping beds, toilets and air-conditioners are also installed in some of the containers.

    Arrangements have been made keeping in view the intense heat and humidity with the change of places.

    “About 60 such containers have been prepared and sent to Kanyakumari where a village has been set up in which all these containers have been placed. The container will be parked in a new place every day in the shape of a village for night rest. Full-time Yatris who stay with Rahul Gandhi will eat together and stay close,” said the sources.

    The sources further said that Rahul Gandhi considers the Bharat Jodo Yatra journey as a way to connect with the common people.

    “So he wants to complete this entire journey in a simple way away from the glitz and glamour. Rahul Gandhi calls it a journey but political analysts consider it a preparation for 2024,” the sources added.

    The yatra will proceed mainly through 12 states, including Himachal Pradesh, where Assembly polls are due later this year.

    Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra launch HIGHLIGHTS | Millions of people feel need to take action that brings India together: Rahul

  • ‘Turning point in Indian politics’: Congress ahead of the start of ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’

    By PTI

    KANYAKUMARI: Ahead of the launch of its ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ on Wednesday, the Congress said it is a turning point in Indian politics and marks a “new beginning”.

    Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi took part in a prayer meeting at the Rajiv Gandhi memorial in Sriperumbudur Wednesday morning.

    He will attend an event at 4:30 PM 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.

    “September 7 2022. A day when India’s oldest political party will launch the longest padyatra ever undertaken. It is a sombre day, a day for quiet reflection and renewed resolve,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet.

    “This is a turning point in Indian politics. It marks a new beginning,” he said.

    With the launch of the 3,570 km Yatra at a mega rally here, the Congress is seeking to flag economic disparities, social polarisation and political centralisation, while attempting to make gains in what it often described as battle of ideologies.

    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.

    ALSO READ | Congress loses two more officials to BJP ahead of Gujarat elections; party’s Punjab women’s unit chief resigns as well

    Both she and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are abroad.

    Rahul Gandhi arrived in Chennai Tuesday night.

    Ramesh had said Tuesday that 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 organisation panel in-charge Digvijaya Singh on Tuesdat.

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

    ALSO READ | Congress presidential polls: Amid buzz of Gehlot’s move to Delhi, Pilot show of strength in Rajasthan

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

    In a video message, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had urged people to join the Yatra wherever possible.

    She asserted the Yatra was needed as “negative politics was being practised 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 has said.

    Though the march, covering 12 states and two Union Territories in about five months, will be formally launched at the rally, it will actually begin at 7 am on Thursday when Gandhi and other Congress leaders will embark on the march.

    Before the launch, Rahul Gandhi will also visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar statue and Kamaraj Memorial in Kanyakumari.

    The march will move in two batches from 7 am to 10:30 am and from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

    While the morning session will include fewer participants, the evening session will see mass mobilisation.

    The participants plan to walk around 22 to 23 km daily.

    The Congress has asserted its Yatra is not a ‘Mann Ki Baat’, but to ensure people’s concerns reach Delhi.

    It has classified 119 leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, as ‘Bharat Yatris’ who will walk the entire route.

    About 30 per cent of ‘Bharat Yatris’ are women.

    The average age of Bharat Yatris is 38.

    About 50,000 citizens have also registered to participate in the Yatra.

    To coincide with the launch of the Yatra on Wednesday, ‘Prarthana Sabhas’ will be held by the Congress’ state units at 5 pm, a leader said.

    At 7 am Thursday, 10 km foot marches will be held at block level.

    After reaching Kerala on September 11, the Yatra will traverse through the state for the next 18 days, reaching Karnataka on September 30.

    It will be in Karnataka for 21 days before moving north.

    It will pass through Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Nilambur, Mysuru, Bellary, Raichur, Vikarabad, Nanded, Jalgaon, Indore, Kota, Dausa, Alwar, Bulandshahr, Delhi, Ambala, Pathankot, Jammu, and end in Srinagar.

    KANYAKUMARI: Ahead of the launch of its ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ on Wednesday, the Congress said it is a turning point in Indian politics and marks a “new beginning”.

    Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi took part in a prayer meeting at the Rajiv Gandhi memorial in Sriperumbudur Wednesday morning.

    He will attend an event at 4:30 PM 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.

    “September 7 2022. A day when India’s oldest political party will launch the longest padyatra ever undertaken. It is a sombre day, a day for quiet reflection and renewed resolve,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet.

    “This is a turning point in Indian politics. It marks a new beginning,” he said.

    With the launch of the 3,570 km Yatra at a mega rally here, the Congress is seeking to flag economic disparities, social polarisation and political centralisation, while attempting to make gains in what it often described as battle of ideologies.

    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.

    ALSO READ | Congress loses two more officials to BJP ahead of Gujarat elections; party’s Punjab women’s unit chief resigns as well

    Both she and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are abroad.

    Rahul Gandhi arrived in Chennai Tuesday night.

    Ramesh had said Tuesday that 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 organisation panel in-charge Digvijaya Singh on Tuesdat.

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

    ALSO READ | Congress presidential polls: Amid buzz of Gehlot’s move to Delhi, Pilot show of strength in Rajasthan

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

    In a video message, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had urged people to join the Yatra wherever possible.

    She asserted the Yatra was needed as “negative politics was being practised 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 has said.

    Though the march, covering 12 states and two Union Territories in about five months, will be formally launched at the rally, it will actually begin at 7 am on Thursday when Gandhi and other Congress leaders will embark on the march.

    Before the launch, Rahul Gandhi will also visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar statue and Kamaraj Memorial in Kanyakumari.

    The march will move in two batches from 7 am to 10:30 am and from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

    While the morning session will include fewer participants, the evening session will see mass mobilisation.

    The participants plan to walk around 22 to 23 km daily.

    The Congress has asserted its Yatra is not a ‘Mann Ki Baat’, but to ensure people’s concerns reach Delhi.

    It has classified 119 leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, as ‘Bharat Yatris’ who will walk the entire route.

    About 30 per cent of ‘Bharat Yatris’ are women.

    The average age of Bharat Yatris is 38.

    About 50,000 citizens have also registered to participate in the Yatra.

    To coincide with the launch of the Yatra on Wednesday, ‘Prarthana Sabhas’ will be held by the Congress’ state units at 5 pm, a leader said.

    At 7 am Thursday, 10 km foot marches will be held at block level.

    After reaching Kerala on September 11, the Yatra will traverse through the state for the next 18 days, reaching Karnataka on September 30.

    It will be in Karnataka for 21 days before moving north.

    It will pass through Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Nilambur, Mysuru, Bellary, Raichur, Vikarabad, Nanded, Jalgaon, Indore, Kota, Dausa, Alwar, Bulandshahr, Delhi, Ambala, Pathankot, Jammu, and end in Srinagar.

  • ‘Yatra can achieve both Bharat Jodo and Congress Jodo’: Shashi Tharoor on party’s leadership crisis

    By PTI

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress’ ambitious ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ from Kanyakumari to Kashmir can also achieve the objective of “Congress Jodo” and help in its revival, senior leader Shashi Tharoor said on Tuesday amidst churning in the party triggered by dissent and exits.

    Tharoor, who is said to be contemplating running for the post of Congress president, also expressed hope that many leaders would contest the upcoming elections and stressed he has neither ruled himself in nor out.

    In an interview with PTI a day before the launch of the 3,570 km-long ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Tharoor said,”the message is also that the Congress is the party that can unite India and if the public is sufficiently inspired by this message, it will indeed inaugurate the revival of the party”.

    Asked about former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and BJP’s’ swipe that the party should undertake “Congress jodo” instead of “Bharat jodo”, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said, “Ghulam Nabi Sahib is a respected elder and I do not wish to comment on his specific remarks.”

    “But I will say that the Bharat Jodo Yatra could also unite Congressmen and women across the country around our values and ideals as well as around service to the people, by raising issues that matter to the people and showing them that we are fighting for them,” he said.

    “Then it could be both ‘Bharat Jodo’ and ‘Congress jodo’,” Tharoor said.

    Tharoor was among the group of 23 leaders who wrote to party chief Sonia Gandhi in 2020 seeking large-scale organizational reforms.

    His remarks come amid repeated jibes by the BJP over dissenting voices within the Congress over various issues.

    Asked about the possibility of him running for the post of Congress president, Tharoor said,”I have only welcomed the fact that an election will be held. I believe that is very good for the party.”

    After all, which other political party has had an open election for its top post among such a large electorate of almost 10,000 voters, he asked.

    “Of course it is gratifying that this general statement of democratic principle has immediately led to large numbers of people around the country welcoming the prospect of my contesting. But as I have made it clear, I have not declared my candidacy,” Tharoor said.

    Pointing out that the notification of such an election is only happening on September 22, he said it means colleagues still have three weeks to think about whether they would like to join the fray.

    “I hope many will contest in order to give the membership a wide choice. So far I have neither ruled myself in nor ruled myself out,” the former Union minister asserted.

    The process for filing nominations for the election will be held from September 24 to 30.

    The last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 8 and the election, if required, will be held on October 17.

    The results will be out on October 19.

    Talking about the Yatra and whether it marks a decisive phase in the battle of ideologies, Tharoor said the battle is an ongoing one.

    “We have lost a few skirmishes but in many ways it is an existential struggle we are engaged in, to defend the idea of India enshrined in the Constitution. As long as we survive, there will be many other seemingly decisive phases,” he said.

    “But whatever happens, we should never surrender to majoritarianism,” Tharoor asserted.

    The ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ is one important contribution to this ongoing effort, he said, adding that he doesn’t think the struggle for India’s soul will cease after the Yatra ends.

    Asked if the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ could have the same socio-political impact as BJP leader L K Advani’s Rath Yatra in the early 1990s albeit for a different cause, Tharoor said it is possible, but its impact can only be gauged as it goes on.

    “I hope it will attract large numbers of people to the ideals and values the Congress stands for, values that unite our people around the idea of an inclusive India,” he said.

    On whether the Yatra would get popular traction among the common people, Tharoor said no one undertakes such an ambitious nationwide march without expectations of success.

    “But while our planning and preparations have been thorough, it is fair to say that we cannot underestimate the ruling forces,” he said.

    “If they see the Yatra having a major impact I have no doubt about their capacity to distract the country in other directions. We should soldier on undeterred,” Tharoor said.

    On whether he sees the Yatra as a beginning of the party’s revival, Tharoor said he certainly hopes so.

    “While we are working with everyone, including other parties, non-political individuals and civil society groups, any such major activity undertaken by a political party undoubtedly has a political message.

    And that message is that we are the party that can unite India,” he said.

    Though the yatra will be formally launched at a rally in Kanyakumari on Wednesday, it will actually begin at 7 am on September 8 when Rahul Gandhi and several other Congress leaders will embark on the journey on foot.

    From Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, it will move northwards and pass through several states to culminate in Srinagar.

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress’ ambitious ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ from Kanyakumari to Kashmir can also achieve the objective of “Congress Jodo” and help in its revival, senior leader Shashi Tharoor said on Tuesday amidst churning in the party triggered by dissent and exits.

    Tharoor, who is said to be contemplating running for the post of Congress president, also expressed hope that many leaders would contest the upcoming elections and stressed he has neither ruled himself in nor out.

    In an interview with PTI a day before the launch of the 3,570 km-long ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Tharoor said,”the message is also that the Congress is the party that can unite India and if the public is sufficiently inspired by this message, it will indeed inaugurate the revival of the party”.

    Asked about former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and BJP’s’ swipe that the party should undertake “Congress jodo” instead of “Bharat jodo”, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said, “Ghulam Nabi Sahib is a respected elder and I do not wish to comment on his specific remarks.”

    “But I will say that the Bharat Jodo Yatra could also unite Congressmen and women across the country around our values and ideals as well as around service to the people, by raising issues that matter to the people and showing them that we are fighting for them,” he said.

    “Then it could be both ‘Bharat Jodo’ and ‘Congress jodo’,” Tharoor said.

    Tharoor was among the group of 23 leaders who wrote to party chief Sonia Gandhi in 2020 seeking large-scale organizational reforms.

    His remarks come amid repeated jibes by the BJP over dissenting voices within the Congress over various issues.

    Asked about the possibility of him running for the post of Congress president, Tharoor said,”I have only welcomed the fact that an election will be held. I believe that is very good for the party.”

    After all, which other political party has had an open election for its top post among such a large electorate of almost 10,000 voters, he asked.

    “Of course it is gratifying that this general statement of democratic principle has immediately led to large numbers of people around the country welcoming the prospect of my contesting. But as I have made it clear, I have not declared my candidacy,” Tharoor said.

    Pointing out that the notification of such an election is only happening on September 22, he said it means colleagues still have three weeks to think about whether they would like to join the fray.

    “I hope many will contest in order to give the membership a wide choice. So far I have neither ruled myself in nor ruled myself out,” the former Union minister asserted.

    The process for filing nominations for the election will be held from September 24 to 30.

    The last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 8 and the election, if required, will be held on October 17.

    The results will be out on October 19.

    Talking about the Yatra and whether it marks a decisive phase in the battle of ideologies, Tharoor said the battle is an ongoing one.

    “We have lost a few skirmishes but in many ways it is an existential struggle we are engaged in, to defend the idea of India enshrined in the Constitution. As long as we survive, there will be many other seemingly decisive phases,” he said.

    “But whatever happens, we should never surrender to majoritarianism,” Tharoor asserted.

    The ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ is one important contribution to this ongoing effort, he said, adding that he doesn’t think the struggle for India’s soul will cease after the Yatra ends.

    Asked if the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ could have the same socio-political impact as BJP leader L K Advani’s Rath Yatra in the early 1990s albeit for a different cause, Tharoor said it is possible, but its impact can only be gauged as it goes on.

    “I hope it will attract large numbers of people to the ideals and values the Congress stands for, values that unite our people around the idea of an inclusive India,” he said.

    On whether the Yatra would get popular traction among the common people, Tharoor said no one undertakes such an ambitious nationwide march without expectations of success.

    “But while our planning and preparations have been thorough, it is fair to say that we cannot underestimate the ruling forces,” he said.

    “If they see the Yatra having a major impact I have no doubt about their capacity to distract the country in other directions. We should soldier on undeterred,” Tharoor said.

    On whether he sees the Yatra as a beginning of the party’s revival, Tharoor said he certainly hopes so.

    “While we are working with everyone, including other parties, non-political individuals and civil society groups, any such major activity undertaken by a political party undoubtedly has a political message.

    And that message is that we are the party that can unite India,” he said.

    Though the yatra will be formally launched at a rally in Kanyakumari on Wednesday, it will actually begin at 7 am on September 8 when Rahul Gandhi and several other Congress leaders will embark on the journey on foot.

    From Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, it will move northwards and pass through several states to culminate in Srinagar.

  • Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra to begin from Kanyakumari Wednesday

    By Express News Service

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s six-month-long Bharat Jodo Yatra will kick off from Kanyakumari at 5pm on Wednesday. The padayatra is being seen by the Congress as a game changer which is slated to reinvent Rahul Gandhi’s political career. Party national general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal exuded confidence that the yatra is going to be historical.

    All Congress working committee members including chief ministers and party state unit presidents will be reaching Kanyakumari to witness the start and 118 leaders will accompany him throughout the 3,670km walk which will be passing through 12 states and two union territories. On Monday, Rahul Gandhi had visited the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat and the inmates there presented him with a charkha.

    He will be visiting his father Rajiv Gandhi’s memorial at Sriperumbudur near Channi where te former prime minister was assassinated and offer prayers. Though he will be reaching Thiruvananthapuram airport from Chennai, he will leave for Kanyakumari by helicopter at 1pm. 

    Talking to reporters at Indira Bhavan in Thiuvananthapuram, Venugopal said the plight of the country in the last eight years has been highly deplorable. “India is at a crossroads facing challenges in all sectors. That is why the Congress has taken the political mission to go ahead with the padayatra. Rahul Gandhi has taken up the challenge to meet a cross section of people to speak to them about the challenges being faced by the country,” said Venugopal.

    The tricolour which will be used throughout the padayatra will be received by Rahul Gandhi at Gandhi Mandapam at Kanyakumari. The padayatra will reach the Kerala border at Kaliyikkavila on Sunday. 

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s six-month-long Bharat Jodo Yatra will kick off from Kanyakumari at 5pm on Wednesday. The padayatra is being seen by the Congress as a game changer which is slated to reinvent Rahul Gandhi’s political career. Party national general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal exuded confidence that the yatra is going to be historical.

    All Congress working committee members including chief ministers and party state unit presidents will be reaching Kanyakumari to witness the start and 118 leaders will accompany him throughout the 3,670km walk which will be passing through 12 states and two union territories. On Monday, Rahul Gandhi had visited the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat and the inmates there presented him with a charkha.

    He will be visiting his father Rajiv Gandhi’s memorial at Sriperumbudur near Channi where te former prime minister was assassinated and offer prayers. Though he will be reaching Thiruvananthapuram airport from Chennai, he will leave for Kanyakumari by helicopter at 1pm. 

    Talking to reporters at Indira Bhavan in Thiuvananthapuram, Venugopal said the plight of the country in the last eight years has been highly deplorable. “India is at a crossroads facing challenges in all sectors. That is why the Congress has taken the political mission to go ahead with the padayatra. Rahul Gandhi has taken up the challenge to meet a cross section of people to speak to them about the challenges being faced by the country,” said Venugopal.

    The tricolour which will be used throughout the padayatra will be received by Rahul Gandhi at Gandhi Mandapam at Kanyakumari. The padayatra will reach the Kerala border at Kaliyikkavila on Sunday.