In an attempt to bring regional parties together, the Congress has invited Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav to join its Bharat Jodo Yatra. According to media reports, Bihar Congress incharge Bhakta Charan Das, on the behalf of Rahul Gandhi, met Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife and former chief minister Rabri Devi at 10, Circular Road in Patna, on Sunday.
The Congress delegation, in a meeting with the RJD leaders, said that opposition unity would be strengthened if Tejashwi Yadav joined the party’s padyatra. Congress leaders said that the move will help in bringing the opposition on one platform, against the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. Yadav, who is leading the RJD in Bihar, is yet to respond to the invitation.
The invitation comes days after the state deputy CM suggested that the Congress should allow regional parties to fight wherever they are strong, and give a direct challenge to the BJP.
The RJD is the single largest party in Bihar, and recently joined hands with Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) to form a new “mahagathbandhan” government in the state.
During the meeting with Tejashwi’s parents – Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi – the delegation gave detailed information to RJD leaders regarding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s padyatra. Inviting Tejashwi Yadav, Congress leader Bhakta Charan Das said that Rahul Gandhi is getting good support from the people during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, and thus, he wants the Bihar deputy CM to join him.
According to NDTV, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar also received a similar invitation from the Congress, to join the Rahul Gandhi-led yatra.
Meanwhile, on the 12th day of the yatra, Rahul Gandhi, along with other party leaders and workers, began today’s stretch from Punnapra Aravukad in Alappuzha, Kerala, and met the fishermen at 6 am. During the interaction with the community, Rahul Gandhi discussed rising fuel prices, dwindling fish stock, lack of social welfare policies, reduced subsidies, climate change, and other major issues faced by them.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra is one of the biggest mass contact campaigns kick-started by the Congress from Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari, and will cover as many as 12 states. The 3,570 kms long foot march will be completed in 150 days, ending in Kashmir.
According to the Congress, the motive of the Bharat Jodo Yatra is to bring Indians together, irrespective of religion and community, against the “divisive politics” of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
