Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra kick starts: 100 seats, 15 states, 67 days ahead

New Delhi, January 14: Commencing from Thoubal near Imphal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spearheads the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' today. This extensive foot march, spanning 6,700 kilometers over 67 days, will traverse through 110 districts and 15 states.

The Congress views this yatra as a strategic move to shape the narrative leading up to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Emphasising its ideological nature over an electoral one, the party states that it is a response to the perceived injustices of the 10-year Modi government.

Rahul Gandhi's journey covers a diverse landscape, starting from northeastern states, passing through the north and central regions, and concluding in Maharashtra on March 20. The longest duration will be spent in Uttar Pradesh, covering 1,074 km across 20 districts in 11 days, followed by significant periods in Jharkhand, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh.

The route through Uttar Pradesh is strategically vital, touching key areas like Amethi, Rae Bareli (the Gandhi family bastion), and Varanasi (PM Narendra Modi's constituency). With 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress aims to strengthen its presence, especially after having only one Lok Sabha MP in the previous elections, Sonia Gandhi.

The journey also encompasses Bihar and Jharkhand, covering 425 km and 804 km, respectively, across seven and 13 districts. Spanning 6,713 km, the yatra will predominantly utilize buses, with some segments covered on foot. It targets about 100 Lok Sabha seats and 337 assembly segments, intending to bridge geographical gaps and connect with communities on the ground. The ambitious yatra underscores the Congress party's efforts to engage with diverse demographics in the run-up to the elections.

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Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra kicks off in Nagaland after alteration in plans from Imphal 

The commencement of the "Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra" has been redirected to Thoubal district in Manipur, departing from the initial choice of Imphal due to conditional approvals and restrictions imposed by the BJP-led Manipur government. The shift in venue was necessitated to overcome limitations on the number of participants and event duration.

Despite facing restrictions in Thoubal, where the district administration has capped the participant count at 3,000, the Congress is determined to launch this yatra as a significant political initiative.

The choice of Thoubal comes amidst the backdrop of ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur since May 2023, leading to over 180 casualties and numerous injuries in clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities. The state has also witnessed a surge in sexual assault cases and heinous crimes since May last year.

Before embarking on the yatra, Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress, will pay homage to martyrs at the Khongjom War Memorial in Thoubal, commemorating those who lost their lives in the last Anglo-Manipur War in 1891. The yatra is set to progress to Nagaland, covering 257 km and five districts in two days, followed by an 833 km journey through 17 districts in Assam. Brief stops are planned in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya for a day each.

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Subsequently, the yatra's route will traverse West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. This extensive journey is strategically significant as it aims to engage with diverse communities and regions leading up to the upcoming elections.

During a virtual meeting of the Indian National Inclusive Developmental Alliance (INDIA) on Saturday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge extended an invitation to leaders of the Opposition bloc, urging them to join the yatra at any point along its route. The "Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra" is not just a political campaign but a broader initiative focusing on inclusive development and social justice.

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