Uttar Pradesh: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday joined ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ as it entered Uttar Pradesh.
The yatra began from Delhi after a nine-day Christmas and New Year break from Delhi’s Marghat Hanuman Mandir near Kashmiri Gate at around 10 am today.
The yatra has covered over 3,000 km so far spread across nine states starting from Kerala.
Welcoming the yatra, which was joined by various politicians including NC chief Farooq Abdullah, Shiv Sena (Uddhav) leader and Priyanka Chaturvedi, Priyanka Gandhi said that the government attempted to tarnish Rahul’s image, however, he did not bow down and continued to carry on the yatra.
“My elder brother, I am most proud of you. Forceful power was exerted. Thousands of crores were spent by the government to tarnish his image, and agencies were put behind him, but he did not stop,” she said.
She said that she is proud of every Indian who joined the yatra.
In a message to the Uttar Pradesh unit of her party workers, she asked them to visit the streets of the state and spread love and compassion.
“As Rahul Gandhi said, I am opening a shop of love in the market of hatred, you also open a franchise of love in each street, each locality. I thank all of our party workers,” she said.
Earlier today, Amarjit Singh Dulat, former Cheif of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and former special director of the Indian Intelligence Bureau, joined Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra in the Uttar Pradesh leg of the Yatra.
Notably, leaders like Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav extended their warm wishes to Bharat Jodo Yatra on Monday. But they won’t join the Yatra in Uttar Pradesh, sources said.
Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Tuesday joined the Bharat Jodo Yatra after Rahul Gandhi sent an invite to her. She said, “The time has come for the opposition to unite and confront the current situation in the country.”
The Yatra is expected to cross Uttar Pradesh over a span of three days before re-entering Haryana on January 6.
Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Uttar Pradesh from Delhi via Loni. A large number of people were present along the way to welcome the yatra.
