Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday sent an invitation letter to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to join Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra as it reaches Uttar Pradesh on February 16.
Yadav has been invited to share stage with Rahul Gandhi during a public rally at National Inter College in Chandauli’s Saiyadraja on February 16.
The invitation to Akhilesh Yadav came days after he told reporters that he has not been invited to join the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
Shortly after the SP chief’s statement, Congress had clarified that the route of the Yatra was being finalised and once it’s done an invitation will be sent.
The detailed route and programme of Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra in Uttar Pradesh is being prepared. It will be finalised in a day or two. After this it will be shared with the constituent parties of INDIA alliance in the state,” Ramesh said in a post replying to Yadav’s statement.
The Congress leader further said the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will enter Uttar Pradesh on February 16 and that Yadav’s participation will further strengthen the INDIA alliance.
“His participation in the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra will further strengthen the INDIA alliance. The Yatra is expected to enter UP on the afternoon of February 16,” Ramesh said.
The Congress party is facing the irk of its partners in the Opposition’s INDIA alliance. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee had skipped the Yatra when it entered Bengal, claiming she was not informed when the Yatra entered the state.
The Congress wanted to avoid the similar situation and extended a formal invitation to Yadav 10 days in advance.
However, whether the SP chief will attend the Yatra remains uncertain as he is yet to respond to the invitation.