Bharat Jodo Yatra's usefulness for Congress and Rahul Gandhi cannot be denied: Sharad Pawar

The Nationalist Congress Party chief also hinted that he was not against the inclusion of the Congress if the Opposition unity takes shape for the 2024 elections.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on September 19 acknowledged the "usefulness" of the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi for the Congress leader and his party.

He also hinted that he was not against the inclusion of the Congress if the Opposition unity takes shape for the 2024 elections.

Speaking to reporters in Solapur district of Maharashtra, Mr. Pawar said big padyatras or foot marches such as 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' have a political impact and people welcome such programmes with sincere intent.

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Replying to a question on whether the Bharat Jodo Yatra will have an impact on politics in the coming days, Mr. Pawar said when such big yatras are taken out, they turn out to be useful. "When Chandrashekhar (former Prime Minister) had taken out a similar padayatra it had received a tremendous response. I had also taken out a march from Jalgaon to Nagpur (in 1980) for farmers," the former Chief Minister recalled.

He said about 5,000 people had joined his yatra when it started from Jalgaon in north Maharashtra and the number swelled to 50,000 in Buldhana and more than one lakh when it reached Akola and Amaravati in east Maharashtra. "The march proved useful to change politics of the entire State," Mr. Pawar said.