THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The absence of national Congress leaders in the V D Satheesan-led ‘Puthuyuga Yatra’, even 19 days after launch on February 6, has triggered discussions in party circles and beyond, especially about the extent of support the initiative enjoys from the high command.
The yatra spearheaded by the leader of opposition aims to mobilise public opinion and consolidating the UDF’s position in the run up to the assembly elections. It began from Kasaragod and has covered 10 districts so far.
Though it is being projected as a major success in initiating outreach ahead of the crucial polls, the yatra is yet to see the presence of any senior leader from the Congress’ central leadership. As of now, it is known that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to attend the event’s culmination in Thiruvananthapuram on March 7.
Sources in the Congress said a list containing the names of national leaders was submitted to the high command before the yatra commenced. High-profile leaders such as Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and former Union minister P Chidambaram figured in the list. “We had planned for those national leaders to address the yatra at district headquarters,” said a Congress leader.
When contacted, AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal told TNIE that the “high command will be sending some leaders in the coming days.”
Meanwhile, public response to the yatra despite the absence of national leaders has surprised the Congress and UDF alike. “Satheesan’s statement that he will quit politics if the UDF fails to come to power in the state has instilled confidence among workers,” said a UDF leader who is part of the yatra.
The leader indicated that the absence of national leaders was kind of a blessing in disguise for Satheesan. “Had they attended, the credit might have gone to them. Now, the sole beneficiary is Satheesan.”
State Congress leaders, too, said the yatra is primarily focused on strengthening grassroots engagement of the party and UDF and insisted that it continues to receive full organisational support. The yatra, which entered Kottayam on Tuesday, will culminate in Thiruvananthapuram after covering Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kollam.