NEW DELHI: Congress’ Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi, has resumed its journey from Assam and entered Cooch Behar in West Bengal, marking the twelfth day of the nationwide expedition for justice and unity.
Commencing the day from Golak Ganj Chariali in Assam at 8 am, the march covered significant distances and key locations. At 9:00 am, a symbolic flag handover occurred at Boxirhat, situated on the Assam-West Bengal border. It then proceeded to Khagrabari Chowk in Coochbehar, where Rahul Gandhi addressed the public, emphasising the campaign’s mission.
However, the Bengal leg of the Yatra unfolds against a backdrop of political tensions within the I.N.D.I.A. alliance. Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announced that her party would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls independently, and the TMC would abstain from joining the Yatra, citing a lack of communication from the Congress.
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Banerjee stated, “As a gesture of courtesy, did they (Congress) let me know that they are coming to Bengal for the Yatra? I am not aware of it.” Nevertheless, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh countered this, asserting that Banerjee had been invited to the Yatra.
“She had been invited. Mallikarjun Kharge had written a letter to her and also sent her an email. Our leaders – Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi – all of them want leaders from TMC to come and participate in Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,” stated Ramesh.
FLASH: Schedule of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra for day 12 on 25 January
At 8 am, Yatra resumes from Golak ganj chariali (20Km)
At 9 am, flag handover at Boxirhat, Coochbehar Assam – West Bengal Border (25Km)
From 11:15- 11.45 am, public address at Khagrabari Chowk, Coochbehar (35…
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) January 25, 2024
The campaign’s Bengal leg unfolds amid a complex political landscape, with parties navigating alliances and differences. The outreach effort, aimed at fostering unity and justice, has encountered many challenges on its way.
Notably, the march faced hurdles during its eight-day journey in Assam, where a case was registered against Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders following a scuffle between the participants and the police.
