Come what may, Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to start from Manipur only: Congress

New Delhi: The Congress today made it categorically clear that the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will start from Manipur only on January 14, notwithstanding the hurdles being created against it. “May be they are scared of this yatra”, party general secretary organization KC Venugopal remarked.

Addressing a press conference here today, Venugopal and along with general secretary in charge communications Jairam Ramesh disclosed that the BJP government in Manipur had declined permission to start the Yatra from the Palace Ground in Imphal.

Venugopal said, despite repeated assurances that the Nyay Yatra was not political, the Manipur government refused the permission while it has been holding its own programmes in the state.

He said the party was looking for alternate venues and the state leaders including former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and PCC president K Meghachandra Singh were in touch with the state Chief Minister on the issue. He disclosed that the CM had verbally agreed to one of the alternate venues.

The Congress leaders also issued a booklet spelling out the purpose and motto of the ‘yatra’, besides launching a website www.bharatjodonyayatra.com and a phone number 9891802024 where people can register themselves for participation in the Nyay Yatra.

The party will also be registering the ‘Nyay Yodhas’ who will not only participate in the yatra itself, but will also be working outside.

Venugopal said that there was unprecedented enthusiasm and energy on the ground in the states of Manipur, Nagaland and Assam where he visited during the last two days. He said, people were eagerly waiting for the Yatra. He said, it will be a grand success like the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Replying to a question, the Congress general secretary organization said the party had invited all the ‘INDIA’ leaders to participate in the Yatra according to their convenience.

While making it categorically clear that the Yatra was not political, at the same time, he added, the Congress party was simultaneously preparing for the 2024 General Elections.

He said, there is no confusion between the Yatra and the Election preparations. He said the party will be holding the meeting of the coordinators of all parliamentary constituencies on January 12.