'Political, Not Electoral': Congress On Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra As It Reveals Plan For Manipur Launch

The Congress party stated that the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra set to begin from Manipur's Thoubal is political in nature, but not electoral.

File Photo of Congress leader Jairam Ramesh

Source : PTI

The Congress party is set to commence the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Thoubal, Manipur, on January 14, marking the initiation of a political journey that aims to traverse 6,713 km, covering 100 Lok Sabha segments across 15 states. Rahul Gandhi, spearheading the yatra, is scheduled to arrive in Imphal at 11 am and commence the journey from the Khongjom War Memorial, a site of historical significance, the party informed.

According to news agency ANI, Jairam Ramesh, General Secretary (Communications), Congress, highlighted the broader purpose of the yatra, stating, "It is a yatra (Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra) by a political party... We take out yatra for political purposes, and our purpose is to protect the Constitution... It is an ideological yatra and not an electoral one."

He further stressed the difference between calling it a political yatra and not an electoral yatra.

The yatra is aimed to draw attention to issues such as unemployment, price rise, and social justice. The Congress asserts that the initiative aims to re-establish the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity enshrined in the Constitution, as the government allegedly failed to address these concerns in Parliament.

"PM Modi is showing golden dreams of Amritkal, but the reality is that the last 10 years have been a period of 'Anyay Kaal'. Keeping in mind the social, economic, and political injustice that has taken place in the last 10 years, this 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' is being carried out," Jairam Ramesh said.

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will begin in Manipur, a state grappling with ethnic violence since May last year. It will spend a day in Manipur before moving on to Nagaland, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

A route map has been shared for the day-long march in strife-hit Manipur

The route of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will span 110 districts, 100 Lok Sabha seats, and 337 assembly segments in 67 days, concluding in Mumbai on March 20 or 21. The Congress has dubbed the yatra a protest against the perceived injustices of the past decade, releasing a Nyay anthem with the tagline "Saho Mat, Daro Mat" (do not suffer, do not be scared).

Congress Invites I.N.D.I.A. Leaders To Join 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'

The timing of the march is crucial for the Congress, seeking to revitalise its political standing after a disappointing performance in recent assembly elections. The party aims to shift the focus from emotive issues, such as the upcoming Ram temple consecration ceremony, to bread-and-butter concerns.

According to news agency PTI, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and other top leaders are expected to be present in Thoubal to flag off the yatra. The party has also invited leaders of the Indian National Inclusive Developmental Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.) bloc to join the yatra at any point along its route.

Notably, Kharge took to X and informed that the party once again invited I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders for the Congress footmarch, "Everyone is happy that the seat-sharing talks are progressing in a positive way. I, along with Rahul Gandhi, invited all INDIA Parties to join ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’."

Rahul Gandhi, during the yatra, will address gatherings and engage with civil society members and organisations twice a day, maintaining a rigorous schedule throughout the journey.

The Congress sees the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra as a continuation of its successful Bharat Jodo Yatra of 2022, which the party credits for electoral gains in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana.

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