'Some Miscreants May...': Kharge Writes to Mamata Banerjee as Rahul Gandhi's Yatra Enters Bengal

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ensure a safe passage to the participants of the Rahul Gandhi-led ‘Bhata Jodo Nyay Yatra’.

“The yatra is passing through Bengal over the next few days. I have been made aware that some miscreants may foment trouble for the yatra. I am not sure if intention may be to show the state administration in bad light or disrupt the yatra,” Kharge wrote in a letter to Mamata Banerjee.

In his letter, Kharge expressed fear that some miscreants may try to show the state administration in bad light or disrupt the yatra, as had happened in some neighbouring states.

“I am writing to request you that you may kindly issue appropriate directions to ensure smooth passage of the yatra through Bengal and ensure safety of the yatris, including Shri Rahul Gandhi,” the letter added.

Kharge said the Congress has embarked on the “Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra” from Manipur to Maharashtra to spread the message of justice to heal and unite the nation.

“That is why the yatras have remained apolitical and attracted crores of people across India cutting across all sections of the society who identify with a strong, progressive and secular ‘INDIA for All’,” he said.

The Congress president said the Bharat Jodo Yatra went across the country without any untoward incident and culminated in a rally in Kashmir. “However, some miscreants targeted the current Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in your neighbouring states. This has been done on political instigation but our cadre faced it bravely.

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered West Bengal in Cooch Behar Thursday morning and after a two-day break would restart from Jalpaiguri with a padayatra. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the yatra will then proceed to Siliguri and Gandhi will address a public rally there.

On January 29, the yatra will reach Araria in Bihar and will remain in Bihar’s Araria, Purnia and Kishanganj on January 30, where Gandhi will address rallies and padayatras.

On January 30, the yatra will return to West Bengal at night and will be in Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum districts on January 30 and 31, after which it will go to Jharkhand.