On Saturday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge penned a letter to Mamata Banerjee, the Chief of Trinamool Congress (TMC), expressing his apprehensions regarding potential disruptions during Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in West Bengal.
Kharge conveyed his concerns, stating, "I have been apprised of potential disturbances for the yatra. It remains uncertain whether the motive is to cast aspersions on the state administration or to impede the yatra."
Seeking Mamata's intervention, Kharge urged her to issue directives ensuring the smooth progression of the yatra without any hindrances. "I am writing to request you to issue appropriate directives to facilitate the seamless passage of the yatra through Bengal, ensuring the safety of the participants, including Rahul Gandhi," he emphasized.
In his communication, Kharge underscored the amicable ties between the Gandhi family and Mamata Banerjee, expressing optimism that the West Bengal Chief Minister would address all security apprehensions adequately. "Understanding the cordial relationship shared between the Gandhi family and yourself, I trust that you will effectively address all security apprehensions. Nonetheless, I deemed it necessary to personally reach out to you to convey this request," Kharge elaborated.
Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,' which commenced in Manipur, traversed into Bengal's Cooch Behar district from Assam on Thursday.
Kharge's missive to Mamata Banerjee comes on the heels of West Bengal Congress State President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's allegations, wherein he claimed that the administration thwarted Congress workers' meeting in Siliguri and denied permission for the yatra in certain areas, citing students' exams as the rationale.
Chowdhury remarked that following Assam, Rahul Gandhi's yatra encountered obstacles in Bengal as well.
Responding to Chowdhury's remarks, Trinamool MP Santanu Sen rebuked him, asserting that the administrative decision might have been influenced by ongoing board examinations in schools. Sen accused Chowdhury of aligning with the BJP's agenda, insinuating that his accusations were prompted by BJP directives.
Subsequently, BJP's West Bengal Co-Incharge and IT Cell Head, Amit Malviya, took a dig at the Congress, interpreting the cancellation of the yatra as Mamata's strategy to undermine the Congress party.
