BJY changed public perception about Rahul Gandhi: Youth Cong chief

BJP spent thousands of crores of rupees to destroy the image of Rahul Gandhi, alleges Srinivas BV.

New Delhi | Updated: 30 January, 2023 3:14 pm IST

Indian Youth Congress chief Srinivas BV speaking to The New Indian in Srinagar on Monday.

Congress leader Srinivas BV, who is best known for helping people during the Covid pandemic, on Monday alleged that BJP spent thousands of crores of rupees to destroy the image of Rahul Gandhi, claiming that the nationwide Bharat Jodo Yatra has changed the public perception about the Gandhi scion.

Speaking to The New Indian after the culmination of the yatra in Srinagar, Srinivas said that the former Congress president has been successful in building pressure on the BJP-led Central government on the issues of rising hate, unemployment, and inflation.

Without naming the BJP, he said: “They have been spreading lies (about Rahul Gandhi) through their ‘factory of lies’ and WhatsApp University. They spent thousands of crores to destroy the image of Rahul Gandhi. But today, he has emerged as a tapasvi (ascetic). The yatra has changed public perception about him.”

Leaders of the Congress and other opposition parties have often accused the BJP to propel misinformation and fake news to target prominent Opposition leader leaders. The term ‘WhatsApp University’ refers to the circulation of misinformation and unsubstantiated content on the popular instant messaging app.

“Rahul Gandhi walked along lakhs of people across India during the foot march. He listened to people and tried to understand their pain very carefully. He walked 7-8 daily. The country has today pinned hope on Rahul Ji to save the Constitution and people are with him,” he said.

Srinivas, who heads Congress’ youth wing, called the Wayanad MP as a “visionary leader”. “He is the only person who can save the country, its democracy and the Constitution. People are impressed with the efforts he put in,” he declared.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi-led nationwide Bharat Jodo Yatra has successfully sent out Congress’ strong message of solidarity with common Indians in their fight against hate, unemployment, and inflation, said Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday.

“This yatra has successfully sent out a strong message to people of this country with regards to the aims envisaged by Gandhi when he launched the yatra – unity against hate, inflation and unemployment,” the Congress leader said, adding that the foot march has created a “new environment” in the country.

Earlier this morning, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hoisted the Tricolour at the party’s Srinagar office to mark the culmination of the yatra, which passed through Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh over a period of 134 days.