The upcoming visit of Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Rahul Gandhi to Maharashtra's tribal-dominated Nandurbar district marks a significant moment, as it will be the first instance since 2010 that a member of the Gandhi family will set foot in the region. The last planned visit by Sonia Gandhi in 2014 was unfortunately canceled due to her health concerns.
Nandurbar, once a stronghold of the Congress party, has seen a shift in political dynamics, now being predominantly influenced by the BJP, with Heena Gavit, a BJP leader, representing the constituency in the Lower House of Parliament.
Rahul Gandhi's itinerary for March 12 includes participation in a traditional tribal Holi bonfire event, termed Adivasi Nyay Holi Sammelan, followed by addressing a rally named Advasi Nyay Sabha in the district, before proceeding towards Dhule.
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which commenced in Manipur on January 14, aims to cover 6,700 kilometers across 15 states, concluding in Mumbai later this month. The yatra seeks to emphasize the message of 'nyay' (justice) while engaging with ordinary citizens along the journey.
During the six-day Maharashtra leg of the yatra, spanning over 400 kilometers, Rahul Gandhi will traverse through Dhule, Malegaon, Nashik, and Thane, culminating in Mumbai on March 16.
The decision to incorporate 'Adivasi' (tribal) in the nomenclature of the political rally underscores the Congress party's strategy to address the concerns of tribal voters and attract their support.
In the political history of Nandurbar, the Congress party historically held sway, winning the constituency eight times in Lok Sabha elections until 2014. However, in the subsequent polls, the BJP managed to secure victory, a trend that continued in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
