Congress's open challenge to BJP in Manipur ahead of 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'

Congress’s open challenge to BJP in Manipur ahead of ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’

The Congress party on Thursday threw down the gauntlet to the BJP, inviting them to join the ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ in the Northeast, and challenging the claims of development made in the region. It vouched that the saffron party had failed to even make signs of progress in remote areas of the region and said that the Congress was prepared to counter BJP’s claims during the Yatra.

The open challenge comes as the grand old party gears up for leader Rahul Gandhi-led march, starting on January 14. The yatra will commence in the northeastern states, will cut through the north and central, and conclude in Mumbai on March 20.

In a press briefing on Thursday, the pamphlets were launched at Congress Bhawan in Imphal. AICC media coordinator (NE in-charge) Mathew Antony, contradicted the BJP’s assertion of progress made in the Northeast.

He claimed that several locations in the outskirts of northeastern states still lacked any signs of development. Further, expressing concern over the rising violence and crimes in Manipur, encompassing crimes against women and tribals, he said the BJP government’s claims were nothing short of lies.

“What is the BJP government doing?” the Congress leader said, alleging that in recent years, the country has recorded the highest inflation rate and that “in the BJP regime, the poor are getting poorer while the rich are getting richer”.

“To address injustice and inequalities, Rahul Gandhi is championing the cause through this yatra, aiming to amplify the voices of citizens deserving justice,” he said and deemed the Gandhi scion a “living legend” for his courage to cover 6,000 km and more on his feet.

Emphasising that the yatra is open to all, he called upon “everyone” to support the cause by giving a missed call to 9891802024.

Rahul Gandhi is set to cover over 6,700 kilometres over 66 days, going through 110 districts. The ‘Bharat Nyay Yatra’ will begin from Manipur’s capital Imphal on January 14. Notably, the marchers will spend maximum duration in Uttar Pradesh, covering 1,074 km across 20 districts in 11 days.

Congress MLA Sachin Pilot on Thursday said that the Manipur government has “reluctantly given us partial permission for the Yatra” to take place in the BJP-led state.

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