Aiming to revive its political fortunes, the Congress kickstarted the 3,500 km long ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday evening on issues related to price rise, unemployment, and polarisation.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister handed over the tricolour made of khadi to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who had reached Kanyakumari in the afternoon.
Gandhi then handed it over to Seva Dal workers who will now manage the Yatra throughout.
The march is being held at a time when the party is facing internal strife ahead of the party’s presidential elections scheduled for Oct 17.
The 3,570-km yatra from Kanyakumari to Srinagar, covering 12 states and two Union territories in about five months will actually begin at 7 am on September 8 when Gandhi and several other Congress leaders will embark on the march.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi took part in a prayer meeting at former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s memorial in Sriperumbudur today morning. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur on May 21, 1991.
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Sleeping beds, toilets and air-conditioners are also installed in some of the containers. (ANI)
"We have been requesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi that you should appeal that there be love, brotherhood and harmony among people and violence will not be tolerated. He has not done so till now. There is so much polarisation, hate has been created in the name of caste and religion. If this is not controlled, it can go towards civil war," Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said at a press conference in Kanyakumari. (PTI)
Our tricolour guarantees right to practice any religion of choice, but today this flag is under attack: Rahul Gandhi at Kanyakumari rally.
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Congress senior leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram while addressing the rally near the Gandhi Mandapam said: "I wish to tell those criticising our Bharat Jodo Yatra that you had no role in India's freedom struggle during which Mahatma Gandhi gave the slogan: do or die. Now too, you will have no role. Our journey will not end till the divisive forces are defeated," Chidambaram said. (PTI)
What is happening in the country that so many people, millions and millions of people feel that there is a need to take an action that brings India together?: Rahul Gandhi at Yatra launch rally.
The Congress' ambitious 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' from Kanyakumari to Kashmir can also achieve the objective of "Congress Jodo" and help in its revival, senior leader Shashi Tharoor said on Tuesday.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister hand over the tricolour to Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi on Sunday at the 'Mehngai Par Halla Bol Rally' said: "The government has blocked all paths for us. Congress leaders, opposition and people cannot make speeches in Parliament. Our mic is put off. We want to talk about China's attack but can't. We want to talk about unemployment and inflation but can't."
The march will move in two batches, from 7 am to 10:30 am and from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. While the morning session will include fewer participants, the evening session will see mass mobilisation.
The participants plan to walk around 22 to 23 km daily.
Those participating in the yatra have been classified as "Bharat Yatris", "Atithi Yatras", "Pradesh Yatris" and "Volunteer Yatris".
The tagline of the yatra is "Mile Kadam, Jude Watan".
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday paid floral tributes to his father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at the latter's memorial in Sriperumbudur near Chennai, ahead of the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur on May 21, 1991.
The coastal town of Kanyakumari was buzzing with activity as Congress workers geared up for the launch of the "Bharat Jodo Yatra" this evening, which the party is touting as its biggest mass contact programme since Independence and a "turning point" in India's political history.