Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is leading the party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra‘ resumed the foot march from poll-bound state of Telangana on Wednesday and is likely to cover with over 28 kms. Since the yatra began on September 7, it has witnessed several special moments where party raising concerns on various issues ranging from unemployment to farmers' death. Into its 56th day, the yatra has also seen people from various walks of life take part in it.
It is the eighth day of the party’s campaign in the state after the Bharat Jodo Yatra commenced from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Gandhi completed the marathon walk in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, before beginning the Telangana leg of the yatra last week. The Telangana state Congress has formed 10 special committees to coordinate the yatra.
Gandhi said he is witnessing a change in every state that he is visiting as part of his Bharat Jodo Yatra and that only the Congress can now defeat the BJP. "For us (Congress,) India is its people. And you will find that state after state after state that only the Congress idea can now beat the BJP," said Gandhi while addressing civil society members at Balanagar as his Bharat Jodo Yatra entered its 53rd day in Telangana on Sunday.
A look at key moments of Bharat Jodo Yatra
The sprint challenge
Rahul Gandhi challenged a few young boys for a sprint on Sunday in Mahbubnagar district. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president A Revanth Reddy and other senior leaders apart from the security personnel were caught off-guard and tried to catch up with their leader. The video was shared on the Twitter account of the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ with comments “Out for a marathon, but let’s sprint” and adding “While we are walking, let’s bring up speed, let’s unite to bring together the country.”
Rohith Vemula’s mother shows solidarity
The 52-year-old Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday was joined by the mother of Rohith Vemula, a Dalit student of the University of Hyderabad who died by suicide in 2016 following alleged harassment.
"Extended solidarity to 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', walked with Rahul Gandhi, and called upon Congress to save Constitution from BJP-RSS assault, Justice for Rohith Vemula, passing Rohith Act, increasing representation of Dalits, oppressed sections in the higher judiciary, education for all," Radhika Vemula tweeted.
Radhika Vemula walked with Gandhi briefly during the morning leg of the 'Yatra'. The death of a 26-year-old Dalit student on January 17, 2016, triggered a nationwide agitation against casteism in institutions of higher learning.
Rahul Gandhi carries kid on shoulders
Rahul Gandhi carries a kid on his shoulders at Bharat Jodo Yatra while crossing from Andhra Pradesh. The Congress tweeted the video and wrote "bright future of the country rides on strong shoulders."
Rahul Gandhi unfurls flag where his father started Sadbhavana Yatra
Rahul Gandhi unfurled the National Flag at Hyderabad's Charminar as part of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, over 32 years after his father Rajiv Gandhi had started the 'Sadbhavna Yatra' from the same spot. In his tweet, Rahul Gandhi vowed to uphold the "value of humanity" and not let it be crushed by any divisive force.
Pooja Bhatt joins Bharat Jodo Yatra in Hyderabad
Actor Pooja Bhatt on Wednesday joined Bharat Jodo Yatra in Hyderabad on the 56th day of the yatra which is passing through Telangana. "Every day a new history is being created... Every day the number of people who love is increasing in the country," the party wrote tweeting photos and videos of Pooja Bhatt joining the yatra.