'Very Clearly Decided...': Rahul Gandhi On Whether He Will Participate In Congress President Poll

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi hit out at the BJP saying that 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' is an attempt to undo the damage done by the BJP-RSS. He also spoke about the upcoming Congress president election.

New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that the party's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' is against the damage and hatred that BJP's ideology has caused to this country.

Addressing a press conference in Tamil Nadu, the former Congress president also said that he was "very clear" about whether he will participate in the party's election for its new president.

'Bharat Jodo Yatra' An Attempt Undo Damage Done By BJP-RSS

"For us, this yatra is to connect with the people. We have taken out this yatra against the damage and hatred that BJP's ideology has caused to this country": the former Congress president said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

He emphasised that 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' is an attempt to understand what is happening on the ground and "undo the damage done by BJP-RSS."

"BJP-RSS free to have opinions, but for us this 'Yatra' is about connecting with people," he stated, as per news agency PTI.

Hitting out at the Modi government, he alleged: "All institutions are now in control of BJP and are being used to put pressure on Opposition, the fight is no more between political parties."

In response to a question, the Wayanad MP said that he was "not leading" the yatra and only participating in it.

Rahul Gandhi On Congress President Election

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi refused to divulge much about his participation in the election of the Congress president while saying that he has "very clearly decided" what he is going to do. He did not clearly reveal whether he will contest the poll.

"Whether I become president (of Congress) or not will become clear when the elections for the president post take place... I have very clearly decided what I will do, there is no confusion in my mind," he responded.

When asked about the discussion on opposition parties coming together to fight the BJP in the 2024 general elections, he said: "It is the responsibility of the opposition parties to come together."

Rahul Gandhi stressed that the Congress is not opposing the idea of corporate India, "Our objection is against the unfairness and injustice done to small farmers and MSMEs"

He alleged that there is an attempt to impose one vision on the country, "India is a conversation among its people. That conversation has broken down and it needs to restart. The aim of Padyatra is to start that coversation on ground."

"The BJP has taken control of all the institutions. The role of CBI and ED is being questioned. We are no longer fighting a political party," he remarked.

Third-Day Of 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'

Earlier in the day, Congress began the third day of its 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' in Nagercoil city of Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu. The third day of Yatra began from Scott Christian College in Nagercoil to Azhagiyamandapam Junction in Tamil Nadu.

The Congress has said that its motive behind the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' is to combat the divisive politics of the BJP-led Centre and to awaken the people of the country to the dangers of economic inequalities, social polarisation, and political centralisation.

According to the party's plan, Rahul Gandhi will undertake a 3,500-km march from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in 150 days and cover as many as 12 states. 

The five-month Yatra is to cover a distance of 25 km every day. It includes Padayatras, rallies, and public meetings that will be attended by the senior Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The Congress, which has been suffering poll debacles, is looking to rally the party rank with this yatra and gain ground for the upcoming electoral battles.

(With Agency Inputs)