Rajgram (Bengal): Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra concluded its West Bengal leg on February 2, after multiple and strict curbs placed by state police in its way. Citing the commencement of the secondary school examination, the administration barred the Congress leader from holding rallies in Murshidabad and Birbhum, warning of police action if he did so. The police also cancelled permission for a public meeting to be addressed by the Congress leader at Rampurhat in Birbhum.
Seat sharing between Congress-Trinamool an issue
While privately, Bengal Congress leaders are understood to be fuming and accusing the police of sabotaging the Yatra, officially the central leadership is still maintaining optimism about a possible seat-sharing agreement with Trinamool Congress in the state.
“Neither the Congress nor Mamata Banerjee have said the alliance is over. She has declared that she’s still in the alliance. Negotiations are ongoing, and I am confident the issues will be resolved,” Rahul Gandhi said on his final day, downplaying the discord between the two parties.
The gesture, however, was not reciprocated by TMC. Party supremo Banerjee made a scathing attack against her INDIA bloc partner and compared the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to a “mere photo opportunity” for “migratory birds”.
“I suggested the Congress fight on 300 seats but they refused. Now, they have come to the state to divide the Muslim voters. I doubt they would win 40 seats even if they contest 300 seats,” said Banerjee, who was leading her own sit-in protest at Kolkata to demand the clearance of the the state’s dues by the Union government.
Also read: In Congress and CPI(M)’s Joint Nyay Yatra Show in Bengal, a Missive to Mamata Banerjee
She also dared the Congress to try and topple the Bharatiya Janata Party at its own backyard after the party’s wins in last year’s assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Bengal’s Birbhum. Photo: By arrangement.
Rahul Gandhi on Milind Deora
On Friday, Gandhi’s official X account shared a video on his visit to Bengal, and especially his interaction with “digital media warriors” during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Criticising Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his communal remarks, Gandhi also mentioned former Maharashtra Congress leader Milind Deora who has recently joined Shiv Sena Shinde faction.
“I want people like Himanta and Milind to leave. I am perfectly okay with it. Himanta represents a particular type of politics that is not Congress’ politics. Have you seen some of the statements Himanta makes about Muslims? There are certain values that I would like to defend,” Rahul Gandhi said.
The Yatra from Nabagram in Murshidabad which was scheduled to begin at 8 am, was delayed by two and and half hours late due to administration’s instructions. The police also imposed several conditions including restricting Gandhi from greeting crowds directly and confining the Yatra to a five-vehicle convoy. According to police sources, a few parents of students appearing for the board examinations had made complaints against Gandhi for causing inconvenience.
Meanwhile, an ambulance in the convoy collided with a vehicle carrying senior police officers near Jharkhand border. While neither Gandhi nor the police officers sustained serious injuries, the Birbhum police arrested two drivers and seized three vehicles.
The Yatra entered Jharkhand in the evening. It will pass through 13 districts.
Translated from the Bengali original by Aparna Bhattacharya.