Bharat Jodo Nyay Jatra is an ideological rally: Jairam Ramesh
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 13 2024: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has categorically stated that Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (BJNY) is an ideological rally and not an electoral one.

BJNY will be flagged off by AICC president Mallik-arjun Kharge from Khong- jom War Memorial tomorrow (January 14) .

Reportedly, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and some Chief Ministers will land in Imphal for the Yatra at 11 am.

The Yatra will start from Khongjom and pass through Lilong, Singjamei, road in front of Chief Minister Bunglow, Kangla Western Gate, North AOC, Ching-meirong Khongnang Ani Karak and conclude at Koirengei for the day.

On January 15, the Yatra will proceed to Kangpokpi Thomas Ground, Senapati and Mao before heading to Nagaland.

Bharat Jodo Nyay Jatra is an ideological rally: Jairam Ramesh

Speaking to the media a day ahead of the launch of BJNY at Classic Grande at Chingmeirong today, Jairam Ramesh, who is the general secretary of AICC, continued that the Yatra which will cover about 6,200 Kms in 66 days aims to safeguard democracy, Constitution, Preamble and deliver social justice.

Reiterating that BJNY is not an electoral rally, Jairam Ramesh maintained that the Yatra is based on the ideology of the Congress party.

Manipur is still in complete chaos now but the Prime Minister still doesn't have time to visit the strife-torn State, apart from main- taining studied silence on the issue, he said and maintained that there is no social harmony in Manipur.

He went on to state that the Prime Minister didn't say anything specific about Manipur in his over one hour speech in the recent Parliament session.

Claiming that the Prime Minister has not held any conversation with Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Union Minister of State for External Affairs though Manipur has literally been burning since the last eight month, the Congress leader added that an injustice has been perpetuated to the people of Manipur by his silence.

He reminded that Congress and other like minded parties raised a motion of no confidence against the Government over the Manipur issue in the recent Parliament session.

Stating that the objective of BJNY is to raise the issue of social injustice, Jairam Ramesh added that the people of Manipur anticipate positive outcomes from the Yatra which will begin from Manipur.

There, however, is no guarantee that the people will get justice anytime soon but the Congress party is committed and will uphold the aspiration of the people, he assured.

Stating that BJNY will be taken out for 11 days in five North East States, Jairam Ramesh maintained that public meetings will also be held at strategic locations during the rally apart from meeting different civil society organisation leaders and other stakeholders concerned.

Apart from spreading the ideology of the Congress and the political, social and economic injustice meted out by the BJP, opinions of the people will also be taken during the rally, he continued.

Maintaining that Rahul Gandhi had also taken out Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to spread the message of liberty, equality and fraternity, the Congress leader conveyed that the second leg of the Yatra will be against social injustice.

The Prime Minister preaches Amrit Kaal but he has brought Anyay Kaal in the last 10 years, he claimed and contended that Amrit Kaal and Anyay Kaal can't co-exist.

Unlike the Prime Minister, Rahul Gandhi reached out to the people at relief camps in the initial stage of the crisis in Manipur, Jairam Ramesh said.

Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, on the other hand, said that Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) sought approval from the Government soon after AICC decided to use Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal as the launchpad for BJNY but the same was approved under too many conditions.

He also said that Malkikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will offer tributes to the site dedicated to the freedom fighters of Manipur before flagging off the Yatra.

MPCC president K Meghachandra said that the BJNY will be supported by the bloc of 10 political parties as per the resolution taken on January 2 .Saying that the Government has allowed a gathering of 3,000 people for tomorrow's event, he exuded confidence that the BJNY will give a renewed hope of peace to the people.