Cong questions permit delay for 'Yatra'
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 08 2024:
Even though All India Congress Committee (AICC) plans to flag off the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' from Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal on January 14, there has been no clearance from state government for the starting point despite the application for the same already submitted on January 2.To oversee preparations for the Rahul Gandhi-led 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' from Imphal to Mumbai, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal arrived here on Monday and he along with AICC Manipur in-charge Girish Chodankar are looking after all the preparations for the Yatra.
Earlier, Chodankar along with CLP leader O Ibobi Singh, CWC member Gaikhangam and MPCC president K Meghachandra met chief secretary Vineet Joshi and enquired about the delay in issuing clearance for Yatra's starting point, Hapta Kangjeibung.
Girish Chodankar told media persons after meeting chief secretary that the Yatra is being planned simply to bring justice in the country and it would be wrong to politicise the foot march.
He said that the Yatra will showcase to the world that peace is returning in Manipur and it is akin to helping the government restore peace and normalcy in the state.
Many leaders of India and abroad will be taking part the Yatra but it is very unfortunate that state government is yet to give clearance for the starting point, he said adding that it would be right for Manipur chief minister to keep aside politics at least to some extent.
MPCC president K Meghachandra also told media persons in front of CM bungalow that 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' will be a peaceful long march under the provisions of Indian Constitution and it would be a historic march as the party will not even use its flag.
He said that non-clearance for the starting point from the government side even as flagging-off day approaches compelled AICC and MPCC leaders to meet chief secretary and enquire about government's position.
Nevertheless, the chief sec retary has assured to share government's position very soon, he said adding that application seeking clearance for the starting point (Hapta Kangjeibung) was submitted to DC Imphal East on January 2 and reached chief secretary thereafter.
Later, KC Venugopal inspected ongoing preparations at Hapta Kangjeibung and told media persons that he came to Imphal to oversee preparations for the Yatra, which will be a historic one when Rahul Gandhi setoff for the long march from Imphal on January 14.He said that the Yatra is unrelated with politics and it is simply a long march to deliver justice to women, youth and children.
On the reason behind choosing Manipur as starting point of the Yatra, Venugopal said the crisis in Manipur needs to be given true justice as also all the suffering people of the state.
Rahul Gandhi had visited Manipur during the height of the violence and witnessed suffering of the people of the state personally, he said adding that starting the Yatra from Manipur will showcase the need to deliver justice to suffering people of the state.
He also said that state government should not play politics in giving clearance to starting point of the Yatra.