Sources have indicated that Congress is contemplating the launch of the second phase of its public outreach initiative, Bharat Jodo Yatra, sometime after the initial week of January 2024, as part of its preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, according to information obtained by India Today on Tuesday.
Expected to be led by Rahul Gandhi, Bharat Jodo Yatra 2.0 is envisioned as a hybrid event, with participants engaging in both foot marches and vehicular movements.
Sources suggest that two potential routes are under consideration for the Yatra, with the launch possibly commencing from a Northeastern state. This edition is anticipated to place special emphasis on Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra, as per insights from a senior party leader.
Given the proposed timeline leading up to the general elections, the party is contemplating the inclusion of prominent figures from the opposition ranks, as reported by sources to India Today.
Similar to the inaugural edition of the Yatra, plans are in place for a series of daily public meetings at the endpoint, featuring addresses by Rahul Gandhi.
The potential Yatra is anticipated to undergo discussion and endorsement during the Congress Working Group meeting scheduled for December 21.
The initial phase of Bharat Jodo Yatra, which commenced on September 7, 2022, from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and concluded in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, in January 2023, covered an approximate distance of 4,080 kilometers. Spanning 126 days, the Yatra traversed 75 districts across 12 states, marking India's lengthiest foot march.
With Rahul Gandhi leading the Yatra, the primary goal of this mass movement, as promoted by Congress, was to unite India against what it views as the divisive politics of the ruling BJP at the center. Additionally, the Yatra sought to address various socio-economic issues, including unemployment and inequality.
