After completing the Bihar leg of its journey, Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi entered Uttar Pradesh on February 16 through the state's eastern district of Chandauli. Chandauli district is adjacent to Varanasi, which is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency. The yatra will move through Golgadda, Mandir Marg, Varanasi via Visheshwarganjiraha-Maidagin Chauraha before finally stopping at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Meanwhile, his supporters were seen waiting for his arrival in Varanasi with party flags in their hands. Police personnel have also been deployed in Varanasi to maintain law and order.
Uttar Pradesh's Congress in-charge Avinash Pandey spoke about Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Uttar Pradesh. He said that the yatra will begin in Varanasi and Rahul Gandhi along with all the other leaders will visit Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple to offer prayers. He said, "This yatra will begin in Varanasi. Rahul Gandhi and all leaders will visit Baba Vishwanath in Kashi and offer prayers. Discussions will be held with the skilled artisans of Varanasi. Apart from being PM Modi's constituency, Varanasi is also a pilgrimage site and also a city mentioned in ancient scriptures... People are very excited to support Rahul Gandhi's promise of five-point justice."
The darshan will be followed by a public address at Manduadih Chauraha in Varanasi and will resume from Jansa Chauraha, Bhadohi Road after a noon break. After the yatra's reception at Indira Mill Chauraha, Bhadohi, Rahul Gandhi will address the public again at Rajpura Chauraha after 5 p.m. The yatra will halt for the day at Gyanpur Inter College in Uttar Pradesh.
The grand old party leader was welcomed by UPCC chief Ajay Rai and other senior party leaders as Gandhi led the yatra in a red open jeep. Rahul also addressed the public at National Inter College in Saiyad Raja town on Friday where he slammed PM Modi for the Ram Mandir inauguration held in Ayodhya in January.
Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi who was supposed to join her brother in the UP leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, could not arrive in the state as she was admitted to hospital as she was ill. However, she sent out her best wishes to Rahul and said that she hoped to join them once she gets better.