A march against hatred, violence, fear in India, says Rahul as Bharat Jodo Yatra enters MP

The Congress leader raises unemployment, farm issues as Bharat Jodo Yatra enters Madhya Pradesh

After 77 days since its launch at Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu, the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday.

The yatra’s entry into the first Hindi heartland State will not only be a test of its popularity but will also be closely watched for its overall impact in next year’s Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

After a two-day break following the completion of its Maharashtra leg, the Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Madhya Pradesh via Boderli village of Burhanpur.

Later in the evening, senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also reached the State to join her brother and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi for the yatra over the next four days. For the most part in this period, the yatra will be in the Nimar region districts such as Burhanpur, Khandwa and Khargone, which hold special political significance for the Gandhi family, with former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi as well as former Congress president Sonia Gandhi having visited the region in the past. 

While the Congress pulled out all the stops, including roping in Ms. Vadra to make the yatra a hit, the BJP  launched its own yatra, the Janjatiya Gaurav Yatra, in the tribal belt of the State, from Khandwa that the siblings are scheduled to visit on Thursday. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a public meeting in the Pandhana region explaining the merits of the PESA Act that was implemented recently in the State. 

Meanwhile, during his addresses in Burhanpur, Mr. Gandhi stuck to his usual script and talked about the need for the yatra. 

“There are 2-3 goals behind the journey.  Firstly, this is a march against the hatred, violence and fear that is being spread in India.  See, what is the method of BJP – first of all spreading fear.  Fear in whose heart – in the heart of the youth.  How - By increasing unemployment.  There is fear in the hearts of our producers and farmers, how - by not paying the right price, by not giving insurance money, by not waiving the loan.  Fear in the heart of labourers, how - by not running the MGNREGA.  So they first spread fear and then when it spreads well, then they turn it into violence,” said the Wayanad MP.