Priyanka recalls Rahul’s emotional message before entering J&K

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Monday recalled an emotional message from her elder brother and party leader Rahul Gandhi that he sent her, saying he was “going to his home”, before the Bharat Jodo Yatra entered into Jammu and Kashmir.

Priyanka narrated this incident at a rally to mark the culmination of the nearly five month-long Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. Later, Rahul said he had tears in his eyes when Priyanka talked about his message.

‘Divisive politics can’t benefit country’

The Gandhis have their familial roots in Jammu and Kashmir. In her remarks at the rally at the Sher-e-Kashmir stadium, Srinagar, which was attended by several Opposition leaders as well, Priyanka said the politics that is happening cannot benefit the country. “The politics that divides, harms the country,” she said.

“My brother has been walking for the last five months from Kanyakumari to Srinagar. At the start, I thought it was a long journey, whether people would come out or not. But they came out everywhere from Kanyakumari to Kashmir,” said the Congress general secretary. “They came out because people of the country have a spirit for the country’s constitution, its unity,” she said.

Also read: Bharat Jodo Yatra went from south to north but had countrywide effect, gave alternative vision to country: Rahul

Thanks people for overwhelming response

Priyanka thanked the people of Jammu and Kashmir for welcoming the yatra with open hearts. “When my brother was about to reach Jammu and Kashmir, he sent a message to me and my mother saying that he was getting a feeling that he was going to his home,” she said.

“He (Rahul) had said that my family members (people of Jammu and Kashmir), when they meet me and hug me, they have tears in their eyes, their pain and sentiments touch my heart,” she said. Priyanka said she felt proud standing here that the Congress carried out a yatra which was supported by the whole country.

‘Yatris have shown a ray of hope’

In a way the yatra has been spiritual for the Congress leaders who participated, the leaders of other parties who took part, Bharat Yatris and Rahul Gandhi, she said. “It is our duty to protect the foundation of this country built on the basis of truth, non-violence and love,” she said.

Priyanka said the Bharat Yatris have shown the way of love and brotherhood. “They have shown us a ray of hope. I hope that the hate will end and love will take the country forward and unite everyone,” she said.

Also read: Bharat Jodo Yatra enters last lap in Kashmir, Priyanka, Mehbooba join march a day after security fiasco

Culmination at PCC office

The yatra culminated on Monday with an event at the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) headquarters in the Lal Chowk area and the rally at the stadium.

The yatra traversed 12 states and two Union territories in over 140 days after its launch on September 7 last year, clocking over 4,000 km.

(With Agency inputs)