Amidst concerns of potential disruptions by miscreants during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in West Bengal, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has reached out to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to ensure the smooth passage of the yatra and the safety of the participants, including Rahul Gandhi. In a letter to Banerjee, Kharge expressed apprehensions that certain elements might attempt to portray the state administration negatively or disrupt the yatra, citing incidents in neighboring states.
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, initiated by the Congress, aims to spread the message of justice and national unity, covering the journey from Manipur to Maharashtra. Rahul Gandhi, leading the yatra, previously walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, emphasizing the goal of uniting people across religious, caste, and creed divisions.
Kharge acknowledged the peaceful completion of the Bharat Jodo Yatra across the country but highlighted incidents of disruption in neighboring states during the ongoing Nyay Yatra. Expressing concerns about potential troubles in West Bengal, Kharge requested Banerjee to issue appropriate directions to ensure the safety of yatris and the smooth progression of the yatra.
The Congress president noted the cordial relations between the Gandhi family and Banerjee and expressed confidence that the Chief Minister would address security concerns adequately. While the Congress has invited Banerjee to join the yatra, they emphasize her role in combating communal forces and participating in the opposition alliance.
On the other hand, the BJP took a dig at the Congress, claiming that Mamata Banerjee’s government was denying permission for Rahul Gandhi’s yatra to humiliate the Congress. The BJP’s Amit Malviya asserted that Banerjee’s decision was an attempt to ensure TMC’s relevance after the elections.
In response, the Congress accused the TMC of political hooliganism, citing torn yatra posters and difficulties in obtaining permissions for public meetings. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, criticized the disruptions, urging the Bengal government to oppose the yatra politically instead of engaging in hooliganism.
As Rahul Gandhi is set to resume the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Jalpaiguri, the Congress seeks Mamata Banerjee’s support to navigate through potential challenges in West Bengal. The unfolding events underscore the complex political dynamics and alliances in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, with both Congress and TMC facing challenges and tensions within the opposition bloc.