The Congress party on Tuesday said all top leaders of Jammu and Kashmir will join Rahul Gandhi-led ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ when it will enter the Union territory, including Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah of J&K National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti.
The Congress party said the party’s legacy is linked with Kashmir and all the top leaders of J&K who don’t believe in the divisive politics of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are joining Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra.
“I am happy to say that Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, and Tarigami ji (MY Taragami) are ready to join this Yatra. That is the happiest moment for us,” said All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary In-charge of Organisation KC Venugopal in Srinagar.
Venugopal along with AICC In-Charge of Jammu and Kashmir Rajani Patil on Monday met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in Jammu to discuss the upcoming Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The meeting, which lasted for over half an hour, was in connection with the Yatra in the third week of January, according to an official release.
Venugopal said the Yatra will enter Jammu and Kashmir on January 22 and will last till January 30.
“We met Lt Governor of J&K. We had a very good meeting and he ensured all cooperation,” said Venugopal.
Congress counts on party legacy in Kashmir
In the run-up to Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress party is hyping its special relationship with Kashmir and its history.
Venugopal said, “It is going to be great a program throughout Jammu and Kashmir. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are eagerly waiting for this Yatra. They will receive this Yatra with open hearts like other states. Indian National Congress (INC) has separate relations with Jammu and Kashmir. Congress’s history is very much related to Kashmir’s history. Therefore, the entire country is looking towards Jammu and Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra.
“This Yatra is a national Yatra. This Yatra started from September 7 onwards from Kanniyakumari. There our leader announced that we take the entire route of this Yatra to Kashmir. In Kashmir, we will hoist the national tricolour.”
‘Covid protocol’ a drama: Venugopal
Following the Union government’s advise to exercise caution in the Rahul-led Bharat Jodo Yatra, Venugopal said the entire Covid “protocol drama” has been started to stop the Yatra.
He said, “We are also concerned about the health of people. The entire drama (Covid protocol) has been started to stop the Yatra. Flights are coming from China and there is no problem. There is no national-level protocol in place as suggested by WHO. Then why only a letter to Rahul Gandhi and the Yatra.
“In Gujarat big mela is happening in which lakhs of people are participating. The Prime Minister is going here and there and has meetings. There is no letter to the Prime Minister.”
