'Bharat Jodo or Seat Jodo': CPI-M slams Congress for spending 18 days in Kerala, 2 in UP
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday (September 12) criticised the Congress Bharat Jodo Yatra, saying spending 18 days in Left-ruled Kerala and just two in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh is a “strange way to fight BJP-RSS”.
The remark prompted a strong response from the Congress which derided the Left as the “A team” of the BJP in the southern state.
The CPI(M) tweeted a caricature of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with text wondering if it was a “Bharat Jodo” or “Seat Jodo” campaign. “18 days in Kerala…2 days in UP. Strange way to fight BJP-RSS,” read the text.
Also read: ‘From Vanakkam to Namaskaram’: Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra enters Kerala leg
The photo also carried maps of Kerala and Uttar Pradesh illustrating the difference in their size.
Congress responds
Responding to the tweet, Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications, said, “Do your homework better on how and why yatra was planned the way it is. And silly criticism from a party that is the A team of BJP in the land of MunduModi.”
Do your homework better on how and why yatra was planned the way it is. And silly criticism from a party that is the A team of BJP in the land of MunduModi. https://t.co/xku8ROd9XZ
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 12, 2022
Earlier, the Bharat Jodo Yatra entered the second day in Kerala on Monday, amid an encouraging turnout of people who have been lining up the streets of the state in thousands to extend support to Rahul Gandhi who has embarked on the 3,500 km Kanyakumari-Kashmir foot march.
Also read: Congress’ Bharat Jodo yatra begins 19-day Kerala tour
The 150-day yatra was launched from Kanyakumari in neighbouring Tamil Nadu on September 7.
‘Every step for India’
Rahul commenced his walk from Vellayani junction in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday morning.
“Every morning fills me with hope and conviction that a better tomorrow awaits India and our young generation. Everyone for India, Every step for India,” he said in a Facebook post.
Besides those turning up to join the foot march, scores of people lined up on both sides of the road to witness the padayatra led by Gandhi, who is also the MP from Wayanad in Kerala.
“Day 5 of #BharatJodoYatra began in right earnest as usual around 7am from Vellayani junction at the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram. The morning session of the padayatra will cover around 11 kms moving into the heart of the capital of Kerala,” Ramesh tweeted.
Also read: Second day of Kerala leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra sees huge turnout
He also tweeted that “immersed” in the yatra, he missed noting the 50th anniversary of the Wild Life (Protection) Act on September 9.
“Immersed in #BharatJodoYatra, I missed noting 50th anniv of the landmark Wild Life(Protection) Act on Sep 9. It was the personal commitment of Indira Gandhi that made it a reality. Environmentalist Sridhar who met @RahulGandhi acknowledges Indias past stewardship in conservation,” Ramesh said.
Immersed in #BharatJodoYatra, I missed noting 50th anniv of the landmark Wild Life(Protection) Act on Sep 9. It was the personal commitment of Indira Gandhi that made it a reality. Environmentalist Sridhar who met @RahulGandhi acknowledges India’s past stewardship in conservation https://t.co/ZDwVb1crWv
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 12, 2022
During Sunday’s yatra, Rahul walked with environmentalist Sridhar Radhakrishnan to discuss a host of issues including climate change, a statement issued by the party said.
Besides, children, youngsters and the elderly who briefly walked with the Wayanad MP during the yatra, senior Congress leaders like party MPs Shashi Tharoor, K C Venugopal, KPCC president K Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan also accompanied Rahul.
At close to 10.30 am, the yatra halted at St Mary’s school at Pattom here from where it is scheduled to resume at 5 pm.
In the interim break, Rahul is scheduled to meet eminent personalities for lunch and distribute prizes to winners of the Jawahar Bal Manch painting competition, according to an itinerary of the yatra released by the Congress.
Also read: BJP tweets Rahul’s ‘₹41k’ T-shirt, Congress replies with Modi’s ‘₹10 lakh’ suit
The over three-hour long brisk walk from Vellayani junction to Pattom, a distance of around 12 kilometres, saw more and more people joining the yatra.
Yatra to cover 12 states
The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which entered Kerala on Saturday evening, will traverse through the state covering 450 kilometres, touching seven districts over a period of 19 days before entering Karnataka on October 1.
On Sunday, when the day’s yatra ended at Nemom here, Gandhi had said Kerala respects everyone and does not allow itself to be divided or hatred to spread, and that the Bharat Jodo Yatra, in a sense, was an extension of these ideas.
“Standing together, working together in harmony is natural and normal for the people of Kerala and you have shown this to the rest of the country,” he had said.
“Kerala respects everyone in Kerala. It does not allow itself to be divided nor does it allow hatred to spread in the state. So in a sense, Bharat Jodo Yatra is just an extension of the ideas that prevail in Kerala,” Rahul further said.
Also read: Rahul, others get just basic facilities at Bharat Jodo Yatra camps: Congress
The first day of Congress Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kerala, where the party has a significant cadre base and followers, had also seen a huge turnout which increased during the day as the journey progressed from Parassala to Nemom in the southernmost district of the state.
The yatra will cover 12 states and two Union territories, and a distance of 3,570 km from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu to Jammu and Kashmir over a period of 150 days. There will be mega rallies in 22 major cities.
