Tripura Pradesh Congress is set to observe the first anniversary of the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra,' as part of party’s national initiative, through different programmes across the State.
During a press conference held on Tuesday, Asish Kumar Saha, the Pradesh Congress president, unveiled these plans, highlighting the historical significance of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, an ‘extraordinary’ journey spearheaded by senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. This journey spanned over a thousand kilometers, stretching from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.
“In commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Tripura Pradesh Congress will organize a one-hour 'Padyatra' (foot march) and a public gathering in all nine of the party's organizational districts in Tripura”, Asish Saha said.
Expanding on the Yatra's objectives, Saha remarked, "Congress leader Rahul Gandhi initiated this Yatra to address pressing issues such as the rising costs of essential commodities, unemployment, cronyism, divisive policies, and the perceived national security threat posed by Chinese aggression, among other contentious policies attributed to the Modi-led BJP government."
Saha further emphasized the profound impact the Bharat Jodo Yatra has had nationwide, particularly in inspiring the youth and reinvigorating the party's members and leaders. He encouraged citizens in the state who value democracy to participate in the Congress 'Padyatra' scheduled for September 7.
In response to questions regarding the voting process in the by-polls in two state assembly constituencies, Asish Kumar Saha alleged, "The ruling party has effectively turned the entire voting process into a farce." He went on to assert that the ruling party had, in line with their historical practices, deployed power and violence against opposition supporters at various locations. There were reports of threats to ordinary voters during the night, compelling them to cast their votes in favor of the BJP.
Despite the Congress announcing a 'unity' with the Left, they were conspicuously absent from the election landscape, neither fielding their own candidates nor actively campaigning for Left candidates.