Rahul Gandhi-led Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra has headed on to its last lap in Kashmir, which is set to culminate tomorrow i.e. January 30th on Monday. Marking to pay respect RaGa unfurled the tricolour at Srinagar’s iconic landmark ‘Lal Chowk’ at 12 noon today.
He was joined by Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala and other senior Congress leaders. After Lal Chowk, the Yatra headed towards Nehru Park in the Boulevard area of the city.
The yatra resumed from Pantha Chowk in Srinagar at 10 am and will halt for a break at Sonwar Chowk. RaGa accompanied by his sister began the yatra at 10:45 AM donning his trademark white T-Shirt. The Gandhis and veteran Congress leaders joined a sea of supporters including women, who were seen carrying the Tricolour and party flags.
Sunday, January 29th happens to be the last day of 4000 plus KM long Yatra, the entire area in the close premises of Lal Chowk had been sealed off and a multi-layer security ring has been deployed around the city centre.
As part of the programme, roaster Rahul Gandhi also has to address a rally at SK Stadium on Monday for which 23 opposition political parties have been invited. However, reports said 12 opposition parties will attend the concluding function of the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
On Saturday, Gandhi was joined by People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, who termed the initiative “a breath of fresh air”. He also paid homage to 40 brave martyrs of the CRPF who were killed in the gruesome attack back in 2019 in Pulwama.
The Yatra, however, was suspended yesterday for a while citing concern owing to the “security lapse”, where Congress alleged that the J&K Police has withdrawn security around its leader RaGa in the wake of crowds that surrounded former Congress chief during the foot march in Qazigund.
The Yatra entered Kashmir 145 days later after it began back on September 7th from Kanyakumari. While in another major development, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will be hosting a dinner at Hotel Taj Vivanta in Srinagar at 6 pm today.