Rahul Gandhi Wraps Up Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra with Powerful Display in Mumbai
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav opted out of the Mumbai rally, citing the necessity to remain in Uttar Pradesh for election arrangements.
Prominent figures from the Opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) convened at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Sunday to commemorate the culmination of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, commencing from Manipur in January. This demonstration of solidarity occurred the day following the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) announcement of the Lok Sabha elections schedule.
During his address at the rally inaugurating the joint poll campaign of the INDIA bloc, Gandhi asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lacks the audacity to “alter” the Constitution. He emphasized that both truth and the citizens of India stand in support of his stance. Other leaders of the INDIA coalition also confronted the BJP at the rally, highlighting the significant challenge of maintaining unity within the bloc and ensuring effective vote transfer.
Akhilesh Yadav INDIA rally
Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, opted out of the Mumbai rally, stating his need to be present in Uttar Pradesh for election preparations. In a letter addressed to Rahul Gandhi, Yadav cited the ongoing Lok Sabha nomination process as the reason for his absence. Some members of the Congress party have expressed concerns that the timing of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra was inappropriate and that the time spent on it could have been better utilized for election readiness.
Supporters of Gandhi have asserted that the yatra was not intended for electoral purposes, potentially to shield him from the consequences of the 2024 election. “If this yatra wasn’t geared towards elections, why did we organize it before the polls?” questioned a member of the Congress party.
Meanwhile, the BJP continues to express assurance in securing a third consecutive term and breaking records. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated that the BJP and its coalition partners are poised to attain 400 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha. In 1984, Rajiv Gandhi assumed the position of Prime Minister with 414 seats shortly after the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
What the Opposition hopes
The Opposition is optimistic about replicating the outcome of the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. During that time, the Congress succeeded in defeating a strong BJP, which campaigned on the “India Shining” platform under the leadership of the charismatic Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Despite widespread disillusionment within the Congress, party chief Sonia Gandhi successfully forged a coalition and facilitated the party’s return to power for the subsequent decade.
Amid much anticipation, the formation of the INDIA bloc garnered significant attention last year. However, even prior to the commencement of seat-sharing discussions, a crucial ally, Nitish Kumar, departed from the bloc. In Punjab and West Bengal, INDIA allies find themselves pitted against each other in electoral contests. Additionally, uncertainty looms over seat negotiations in at least three more states. Nonetheless, the INDIA coalition remains the Congress party’s most viable option. Furthermore, the party has pledged electoral promises centered around youth, women, and farmers.
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