Bharat Jodo Yatra

Leading from the front in the Lok Sabha was Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who raked up the issue. Since then a week has passed but Rahul Gandhi continues to be the BJP's target. However, the Congress has defended its leader and said that there is no question of an apology. On Friday after both Houses of parliament.

The Congress is making an all out preparation for the programme. Rahul Gandhi will be visiting the state for the first time after the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The mega rally is being organised at Belagavi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken part in a 10.7 km roadshow in Belagavi and evoked a good response from the people.

She said that the yatra has come as a turning point for Congress and proved that the people of India overwhelmingly want harmony, tolerance and equality. It (Yatra) has renewed the rich legacy of dialogue between our party and the public through mass contact program. It has shown us that the Congress stands with the people and is ready to fight.

This comes against the backdrop of rising incidents of hate crimes and lynching, the lastest being the burning alive of two people in Rajasthan. The resolution said, "In the last eight-and-a-half years under the BJP Government, the politics of hate has assumed alarming proportions and religious polarisation has reached its peak. Hate crimes and atrocities have increased manifold.

In his around-3,970 km journey from Kanniyakumari to Kashmir which started on September 7, Gandhi traversed 12 states and two UTs and tried to touch the emotional chord of the people of the particular areas in that particular state. He addressed 13 press conferences, held over 100 corner meetings, over 275 planned walking interactions, and more than 100 sittings.

Trivedi said that "Rahul Gandhi brought all the anti-social elements together through the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'". He added that "Rahul Gandhi was able to unfurl the national flag because of the sacrifices BJP leaders did". Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in the national capital, Trivedi mentioned several participants of the yatra and questioned their credentials.

"With the yatra coming to a close, I am seeing a new Rahul and this Yatra will come to a close only when the present BJP government is sent packing at the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The yatra has helped Rahul to see an India which has now realised that this is going to be re-birth of him," said Antony, while taking part in a party event here,

The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee has congratulated Rahul Gandhi for achieving success in the yatra. "This historic march with a message of unity will bring a wave of change in the country. Rahul Gandhi kept up with his commitment given to the citizens at the beginning of the yatra and unfurled the Tiranga (Tricolour) at Lal Chowk," said Goa Congress President Amit Patkar.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra -- being led by former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, would culminate on January 30 in Srinagar. Bhutia has been pressing for restoration of seats' reservation for the Sikkimese Nepali people in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to protect the local indigenous communities from rising influx.

BJY started Sunday morning after Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders left their night stay halt at Pantha Chowk on the outskirts of Srinagar city. Many enthusiastic locals came out to greet Rahul while elderly women hugged and blessed him. Many local politicians of other parties also marched with the Congress leader during his March to Lal Chowk.