Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed a massive public meeting in Ballari, Karnataka on Saturday, to commemorate the Bharat Jodo Yatra reaching the 1,000-kilometer mark. Rahul Gandhi, criticising the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka, claimed that "atrocities against SC-ST people have increased by 50%," news agency PTI reported.
"Why are 2.5 lakh govt posts vacant in Karnataka?...If you want to be Police Sub-Inspector you can be one by paying Rs 80 Lakhs. If you have money, you can buy a govt job in K'taka. If you don't have money, you can stay unemployed all your life:" Rahul Gandhi said, ANI reported.
Top Congress leaders attended the Ballari event, including Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan chief ministers Bhupesh Baghel and Ashok Gehlot, former chief ministers Siddaramaiah, Kamal Nath, and Selja Kumari, Randeep Singh Surjewala, and Digvijaya Singh.
While speaking to the public, the congress leader stated, "We initially assumed 3500 kms. Walking is difficult. But once we started walking, it became very easy to walk after a few days. It was as if a force was pushing the journey forward from behind."
"When there is fatigue on the journey, someone comes running to assist. Sometimes a small child says something, sometimes a disabled person says something, sometimes an elderly person says something; those words help "the leader went on to say.
The public meeting was held in the afternoon at the Municipal Ground.
According to Rahul Gandhi, "We have been on a journey for one month. People of various religions, castes, the elderly, children, and women are all walking together on this journey."
After spending the night at the Halakundhi Math, Gandhi resumed his march on Saturday, intending to reach Kamma Bhavan in the district headquarters town of Ballari.
With only six months until the assembly elections, the Congress in Karnataka is banking on Gandhi's yatra and the public meeting in Ballari as the party's mega show of strength.
Gandhi has so far led the Bharat Jodo Yatra through four states: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
Hundreds of people lined up on both sides of the road on Saturday morning to greet Gandhi as his caravan passed by, accompanied by drumbeats and sloganeering.
The route was festooned with festoons, banners, posters, and Congress flags, and several people shook Gandhi's hand, hugged him, and interacted with him.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra arrived in Karnataka on September 30 and will depart on October 20 after travelling 511 kilometres in 21 days. The yatra's goal is to unite India against divisive forces.
(With Inputs From Agencies)