Srinagar: Because the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra involves an finish, Rahul Gandhi, who led the yatra mentioned, that India’s opposition events weren’t scattered, though he admitted that they’d their variations.
Addressing his final press convention on the yatra, Gandhi as soon as once more termed the combat in opposition to the BJP an “ideological” one and mentioned it will have an effect on nationwide politics.
“Opposition unity comes after conversations and a shared imaginative and prescient. To say that the opposition is scattered just isn’t right. Certain, there are variations within the opposition however they discuss to one another. The opposition will stand collectively and combat collectively. That is an ideological combat. On one aspect there’s the RSS-BJP and, on the opposite, it’s the forces against them”, mentioned Gandhi, in response to a query.
Gandhi, who held 13 media interactions for the reason that pan-India march started in September, mentioned that it has been one of the crucial stunning experiences of his life.
“I’ve learnt so much, met lakhs of individuals, spoke to them. I don’t have phrases to explain it. The aim of the yatra was to unite India. It was in opposition to hate and violence…This has been the deepest and most stunning expertise of my life,” he mentioned.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which started in Kanyakumari on 7 September, will formally finish in Srinagar with a public rally Monday. Within the final 5 months, the yatra coated almost 4,000 km, throughout 13 states and two union territories.
Additionally Learn: Bharat Jodo Yatra has remodeled Rahul’s picture. However no assure of electoral victory
Restoration of statehood in J&Ok, impression of the yatra
Gandhi additionally spoke in regards to the impression the yatra may have on nationwide and Kashmir politics.
“This yatra has given an alternate imaginative and prescient. The BJP-RSS has given a imaginative and prescient of hatred and conceitedness. Our imaginative and prescient is that of ‘nafrat ke baazaar mein pyaar ki dukaan’. India has two routes. One is of suppressing different folks. The opposite is of uniting folks. This yatra will affect Indian politics and it’s simply the beginning”, he mentioned, including that the Congress will consider additional actions to place ahead its different imaginative and prescient.
Gandhi additionally spoke for the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
“Statehood and restoration of the democratic course of in J&Ok are basic and essential. That is step one. The steps that can come after that, I don’t wish to touch upon it. All states within the nation have an elected authorities and the identical ought to occur for J&Ok. An applicable answer also needs to be discovered for Ladakh”, he mentioned.
He, nevertheless, refused to talk on the get together’s place on Article 370 stating that his place is identical as that of the get together’s working committee decision.
The get together has in contrast Gandhi’s flag hoisting at Srinagar’s iconic Lal Chowk Sunday to former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s in 1948. On the time, India’s first prime minister had reiterated his promise of a plebiscite for the folks of J&Ok to find out whether or not they would proceed within the Indian Union.
On the media interplay, Gandhi was requested if he’d stay as much as his great-grandfather’s promise. However the Congress chief side-stepped the query by saying he wouldn’t wish to touch upon the historic side of issues.
“I’m not proud of what I see in J&Ok. I’ve unhappiness once I stroll by means of J&Ok. After I first entered Jammu, a wierd concept got here to my thoughts. My ancestors began from Kashmir and got here to Allahabad. And I’m making the reverse journey. I felt like I used to be coming residence”, he mentioned. “I’ve come right here with open arms to offer no matter assist I can.”
Gandhi mentioned a potential east-to-west yatra on the traces of the Bharat Jodo was nonetheless into account.
“That is simply step one. I’ve deeper plans. However let’s see,” he mentioned.
(Edited by Uttara Ramaswamy)
Additionally Learn: Performance or political message? Rahul’s beard in Bharat Jodo Yatra a matter of debate