A Congress team led by general secretary KC Venugopal reached Manipur’s capital on Monday to assess the preparations for Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, to be kicked off on Sunday from Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal East district.
The state government is yet to provide clearance for the launch of the 6,500km yatra. Congress Manipur in-charge Girish Chodankar, who accompanied Venugopal to Hapta Kangjeibung, and state Congress leaders met the chief secretary seeking permission for the event. Chodankar also urged Chief Minister N Biren Singh to prioritise “Manipur’s peace over party politics”.
“This is not a political endeavour, don’t politicise this yatra by denying these things. We are doing this to ensure the future of Manipur,” Venugopal told reporters.
The Congress general secretary said that one of the main objectives of the yatra was to heal the wounds of the people of Manipur, which has been facing unrest for the past eight months, and to spread the message of love and affection. He added that the rest of the country was in pain to witness the situation in the state.
Venugopal said the yatra, which will conclude in Mumbai, would seek justice for the youth, women, farmers and the poor.
He was accompanied also by Congress state president K Meghachandra, former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Central Working Committee member Gaikhangam, among others.
Meghachandra said the yatra would be one of Manipur’s largest rallies, with over 300 national leaders including around 100 MPs participating.
