Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra Highlights: After Nitish Kumar’s betrayal, people of Bihar giving great welcome to Rahul Gandhi, says Jairam Ramesh

As the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' entered Bihar today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while traveling from West Bengal's Siliguri to Kishanganj interacted with a group of truck drivers during tea break. " A thoughtful discussion was held on a host of issues, including the recent Hit & Run law, insurance for drivers, GST and minimum wage," the Congress posted on its official X handle.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is currently in Bihar for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, on Monday visited the Khadgeshwari Kali temple in the Araria district.

Now that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has distanced itself from Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Joro Nyay Yatra, the CPI(M) has jumped in to fill the breach, promising greater participation with heavyweight leaders in Malda and Murdhidabad during the second phase of the Yatra’s route through West Bengal.

Rahul’s Yatra from Bihar is scheduled to enter Malda district on Wednesday and traverse Murshidabad district on Thursday. The Congress has only two MPs in Bengal (from Malda Dakshin and Berhampur seats, both in the two districts), though neither the Congress nor the Left Front has any MLAs in the state.

“We have received an invitation. We will attend the rally in Malda and Murshidabad. While leaders like Sujan Chakraborty will be present in Malda, I will be present in Murshidabad,” said Md Selim, CPI(M) state secretary, to the media. Read more here

Now that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has distanced itself from Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Joro Nyay Yatra, the CPI(M) has jumped in to fill the breach, promising greater participation with heavyweight leaders in Malda and Murdhidabad during the second phase of the Yatra’s route through West Bengal.

Rahul’s Yatra from Bihar is scheduled to enter Malda district on Wednesday and traverse Murshidabad district on Thursday. The Congress has only two MPs in Bengal (from Malda Dakshin and Berhampur seats, both in the two districts), though neither the Congress nor the Left Front has any MLAs in the state.

“We have received an invitation. We will attend the rally in Malda and Murshidabad. While leaders like Sujan Chakraborty will be present in Malda, I will be present in Murshidabad,” said Md Selim, CPI(M) state secretary, to the media. Read more here

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Kishanganj as part of the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', said that the ideologies of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh were spreading hate and violence in the country. He added that people belonging to different castes and religions were fighting amongst themselves under the BJP-led government. " "Brothers are fighting among themselves. This is the atmosphere they (RSS and BJP) have created in the country. We work to unite the people and want to open a 'Mohabbat Ki Dukan' in 'Nafrat Ka Bazaar'," the Congress MP said. The Yatra entered Bihar through Kishanganj in the morning, entering the Araria district in the evening wherein the Congress party held a padayatra. (PTI inputs)

The Congress on Monday held a padayatra in Bihar's Araria as part of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted on social media platform X. " A large number of people participated in the padyatra held in Araria today under the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra. The people of Bihar are welcoming the Yatra with great enthusiasm," Ramesh said in the post. " The BJP leaders sitting in Delhi who are conspiring to stop the Yatra should understand one thing – this Yatra is not going to stop until they get their right to justice," he added.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Monday said that the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' draws inspiration from the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. " The Preamble of our Constitution talks about social, economic and political justice," Ramesh said. " PM Modi had shown golden dreams of Amritkaal, but for the last 10 years people are facing injustice," he added.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while addressing his first 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' rally in Bihar, put forward the demand for a caste census. He said, “No one better knows about “samajik nyay” than Bihar. This country should know how many OBC, SC or ST population are there. caste census is necessary. After caste census, everybody will get to know what is their population and what is their right.” In October, the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar had released findings of its caste survey which revealed that other backward classes (OBCs) and extremely backward classes (EBCs) constitute a whopping 63 per cent of the state’s total population.

Although Congress party leaders like general secretary Jairam Ramesh and Bihar party president Akhilesh Singh have attacked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for snapping ties with the INDIA alliance, Rahul has so far remained silent on the matter.

PTI photo

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address a public gathering in Bihar on Tuesday, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted on X. " Tomorrow at 1.30 pm, the Congress Party will hold a huge public meeting in Purnia during the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra," Ramesh said. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will also address the meeting.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi waves at supporters during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, in Kishanganj, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. (PTI Photo)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi meets supporters during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, in Kishanganj, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. (PTI Photo)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses supporters during handing over of the National flag as the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Bihar from West Bengal, in Kishanganj, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. (PTI Photo)

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Jairam Ramesh and others during handing over of the National flag as the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Bihar from West Bengal, in Kishanganj, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. (PTI Photo)

While addressing a rally in Kishanganj district in Bihar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Modi government of keeping its doors open for "selected billionaires" whilst ignoring the needs of the country's farmers and labourers.

“In this journey, we have added the word ‘Nyay’ (justice). In today's India, poor people are not getting economic and social justice. Due to this, the country is not able to progress,” he said.

“Modi government does not help farmers and labourers, bank doors remain closed for them. But all doors of the government are open for selected billionaires,” Gandhi said.

AS Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Kishanganj district in Bihar on Monday morning, the Congress leader while addressing a rally there made a demand for an all-India caste census.

“The government of India is run by 90 officers, these officers take decisions about the entire budget of the country. But among these 90 officers, there are only 3 people from the OBC category. Therefore we have decided to do a revolutionary work for social justice,” he said.

“The whole country should know how many OBC, Dalit, tribal and minority people there are in India. Therefore caste census is very important,” Gandhi said.

A day after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called Congress leader Rahul Gandhi “BJP’s star campaigner”, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Monday retorted that the Congress doesn’t need a certificate from the chief ministers of Assam or Bihar.

Ramesh’s comments came as Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Bihar, a day after JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar exited the Opposition’s INDIA alliance and returned to the NDA fold.

“We got a lot of publicity for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from the Assam CM. After Nitish Kumar’s betrayal yesterday, the people of Bihar, people of Kishanganj, are welcoming Rahul Gandhi and the Yatra with great enthusiasm. We don’t need a certificate from the Assam CM or Bihar CM,” Ramesh told reporters. (Read More)

AS Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Kishanganj district in Bihar on Monday morning, the Congress leader while addressing a rally there made a demand for an all-India caste census.

"“No one knows about “samajik nyay” (social justice) better than Bihar. This country should know how many OBC, SC or ST populations are there. A caste census is necessary. After the caste census, everybody will get to know what is there population and what is their right," Gandhi said while addressing a rally at the Ashfakulla Khan Stadium in Kishanganj.

Meanwhile, Bihar state president Akhilesh Prasad Singh also took over the Yatra baton from Bengal Congress President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

Later Singh commenting on Nitish Kumar ending ties with INDIA alliance, he said, “whoever wants to go, we have no problem. I can assure Rahulji that even after Nitish Kumar’s exit, Mahagathbandhan of Bihar (RJD, Congress and Left parties) will win a two-thirds majority of the seats in the Lok Sabha election."

As Congress' ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ entered Bihar, the Bharat Jodo Yatra's official X account put up a post stating, "

There was tremendous enthusiasm among the youth of the state regarding the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that reached Bihar! This is an indication that the residents of Bihar are together in this war of justice against injustice. The right to justice, until we get it!"

As Congress 'Bharat jodo Nyay Yatra' entered Bihar, party leader Jairam Ramesh said that after Nitish Kumar’s “betrayal” the people of Bihar are giving a great welcome to Rahul Gandhi and his yatra.

"After Nitish Kumar's betrayal yesterday, the people of Kishanganj, Bihar are giving a great welcome to Rahul Gandhi and the Yatra. We had invited Mamata ji and also Nitish ji but he turned out to be a 'girgit'."

On Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma calling Rahul Gandhi “the biggest star campaigner for BJP", Jairam Ramesh said, “"We got a lot of publicity for the Yatra from Assam CM...We don't need a certificate from the Assam CM or Bihar CM."

As the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Bihar this morning, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that Nitish Kumar switching sides will have no impact on the INDIA alliance.

"Absolutely no impact on the INDIA alliance. This is all typical of Nitish Kumar. It is not 'Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram', it is 'Aaya Kumar, Gaya Kumar'. This is all been masterminded by PM (Modi)...today you're seeing the tremendous response that the people of Kishanganj and Bihar are giving to Rahul Gandhi and Bharat Jodo Nayay Yatra," he said.

After passing through West Bengal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Bihar through Kishanganj district on Monday.

Speaking during a public rally in Kishanganj, he said, " Many people asked me what is the purpose of this yatra. So we told them that the ideology of RSS-BJP has spread hatred. One religion is fighting with another religion... That's why we opened a shop of love in the market of hatred...This yatra had a significant impact on the politics of the country. We have given a new vision, and ideology and that is Mohabbat..."

After passing through West Bengal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Bihar through Kishanganj, a district which is also a party stronghold.

With Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra set to enter Bihar from West Bengal on Monday, party leader Jairam Ramesh has said that the Congress party workers are not happy with the clash with TMC at ground level.

"Our workers are not happy. Our workers are angry but Mamata Banerjee is a very important part of the INDIA alliance. She has reiterated that she will fight as a part of the INDIA alliance and that she will strengthen the alliance. But even I was bothered to some extent by the fight that is taking place at the grassroots level between TMC workers and Congress workers," said Jairam Ramesh. (inputs from ANI)

watch | West Bengal: Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra resumes from North Dinajpur. pic.twitter.com/076nWGzBbw
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

The Congress Party's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra resumed its journey at 8 am from Chopra, Uttar Dinajpur in West Bengal and is expected to reach WB-National Highway Kishanganj near the Bihar border before noon.

According to leaders of the state Congress, the party's alliance partners in Bihar like RJD president Lalu Prasad and CPI(ML)-L general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya have been invited to the rally at Purnea which is supposed to be held day after tomorrow.

Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) president with whom the Congress had shared power till he switched sides, was also extended an invitation which the veteran leader had accepted.

Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address a public meeting in Kishanganj today, followed by a big rally in the adjoining district of Purnea on Tuesday and another one in Katihar a day later, according to Congress legislature party leader Shakil Ahmed Khan.

He will be leaving for West Bengal on Thursday via Araria district and will return to Bihar a few days later via Jharkhand, said state Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh.

The Yatra bus resumed its journey at 8 am from Chopra, Uttar Dinajpur in West Bengal and is expected to reach WB-National Highway Kishanganj near the Bihar border before noon.

Following this, Gandhi is scheduled to lead a padayatra from N.H. Kishanganj to the Shaheed Ashfakulla Khan stadium in Kishanganj, where the flag handover ceremony will take place.

The Bus Yatra is set to recommence at 2 pm from Tupamari village, Kishanganj, and will be succeeded by another Padayatra at 4:30 pm from Zero Mile to Chandi Chowk in Araria. A public address by Rahul Gandhi will follow this.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is all set to leave from West Bengal on Monday and enter Bihar through Kishanganj, a district which is also a party stronghold.

This comes a day after JD(U) president Nitish Kumar and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar left the Mahagathbandhan and the opposition bloc INDIA and formed a new government with the BJP in the state.

This will be Gandhi’s first visit to Bihar since the assembly poll campaign of 2020.

Amidst differences in opposition bloc INDIA over seat sharing with TMC in Bengal for Lok sabha polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday called on the Bengal and Bengalis to spearhead the battle against prevailing injustices in the nation. Gandhi's statement, delivered during the ongoing 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in North Bengal, followed closely after Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee's announcement that her party would contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections independently in the state. (PTI)

Express photo by Partha Paul

While addressing the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' rally in Siliguri on Sunday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the Union Government had "made a mockery of youths who wanted to join the armed forces by introducing the Agniveer scheme, a short-term recruitment scheme for the armed forces." He further said that the central government was working only for the "big corporations", not for the poor and the youth.

Rahul, who resumed the Yatra in West Bengal after a two-day break, expressed gratitude for the reception he was given in the state. "Bengal holds a special place. It had led the ideological fight during the Independence struggle. It is the duty of the Bengal and the Bengalis to show the way to fight against hatred and bind the nation together in present circumstances," he added. (PTI inputs)

Express photo by Partha Paul

With JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar leaving the INDIA bloc on Sunday, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that his exit will have no impact on the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'. "INDIA bloc will be further strengthened, Mamata Banerjee has herself said this. This will further upset people and I think people of Bihar will teach the right lesson to Nitish Kumar and the BJP in the election," Jairam Ramesh said.

Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the public in Siliguri, West Bengal, said that there is hatred being spread across the country, adding that it would serve no purpose. Rahul was earlier denied permission to address a public rally in Airview more by the local administration. The Yatra will halt near Siliguri for the night, before heading towards Uttar Dinajpur and entering Bihar on Monday. (PTI inputs)

Express photo by Partha Paul

As Rahul Gandhi resumed his roadshow at 5 pm from Siliguri, the Congress leader was denied permission to address a public rally in Airview more by the local administration. However, Rahul is expected to address the public from his open jeep. As the roadshow resumed from Siliguri's Thana more, CPI(M) state secretariat member Jibesh Sarkar joined the Yatra. Sarkar said that his party was in support of the Nyay Yatra, adding that they were in solidarity with Rahul's "fight against the BJP".