As the Bharat Jodo Yatra entered the National Capital on Saturday, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sharpened his attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre, alleging that Hindu-Muslim is being done to divert attention from the real issues.
The Wayanad MP also dubbed the Union government as ”Ambani and Adani government”.
Addressing the grand old party’s mega public rally outside the Red Fort, the Congress leader said, “It is not Narendra Modi’s government. All of your money, the money of farmers and labourers, airports, ports, and roads go straight to the pockets of their masters. It is Ambani and Adani government. Hindu-Muslim is being done to divert attention from the real issues.”
Recounting his experience of leading the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi said, “This Yatra is like our India, I have not seen any hatred or violence among people while walking 2,800 kms, and I have not seen violence or hatred anywhere in the country. But when I turn on the TV, there is hatred all the time. 24 hours there is only Hindu-Muslim in media.”
Attacking the Centre over the issue of unemployment in the country, Rahul Gandhi said, “Today degree holder youths are selling ‘pakoras’.”
The Congress leader alleged that the BJP spent thousands of crores of rupees to damage his image.
“When I came to politics in 2004, our government came to power and the media used to praise me throughout the day. They used to do Rahul Gandhi…Rahul Gandhi all the day. Then I went to Bhatta Parsaul (in UP) and raised the issue of farmers’ land and they turned against me,” the Wayanad MP said.
Speaking at the public rally, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said BJP feared the Bharat Jodo Yatra and wanted to stop the march giving the excuse of COVID.
“BJP is in fear due to Bharat Jodo Yatra and is taking the excuse of COVID. There is no COVID anywhere. Nothing happened to anyone. PM Modi himself does not wear a mask. All this is being done to create fear and break this Yatra,” Kharge said.
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan also joined Bharat Jodo Yatra on Saturday.
Haasan, who was also present at the public rally, said, “Many people ask me why I am here. I am here as an Indian. My father was a Congressman. I had various ideologies and started my own political party. But when it comes to the country, all political party lines have to blur. I blurred that line and came here. I stood in front of the mirror and said to myself, this is when the country needs me the most. Then a voice came from inside me – ‘Kamal… do not help break India, help unite.”
Earlier in the day, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi joined the Yatra. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi and her husband Robert Vadra were also present on the occasion.
As the foot-march entered the National Capital in the morning, Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP and RSS, saying they believe in “spreading hatred”, but the common people want “harmony”.
“The policies of the BJP and RSS are to spread fear and hatred, we will not allow it. Am selling love in the market of hatred,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has lashed out at the Congress leader for his remarks on BJP and RSS.
Naqvi said, “It is his wish if he wants to become a love guru, but BJP is a party which creates love in the hearts of haters, and no explanation is needed for RSS.”
The Yatra will halt until January 3, 2023.