THIS is with reference to the article, “Hundred Days of Yatra” in Kashmir Observer (Dec. 29). Rahul Gandhi and rest of the yatris having marched across India over the past 100 days in the momentum-ascending Bharat Jodo Yatra bears testimony to their physical endurance and the nation-wide support the Congress party has gained over the last 3 months now. The completion of a hundred days of the yatra in itself is a success, and a good moment to reflect what it has achieved politically. Perhaps, a significant gain for the party from the yatra is that party cadres, who were despondent and downcast with the party leadership, have started believing in it again strongly. This is no mean achievement. In fact, when the yatra was completed in the southern States, C-Voter conducted a survey which showed that Rahul Gandhi’s approval ratings had considerably improved in all the States where the yatra had passed through.
Another crucial gainsaying factor of the yatra is that beyond Congress’s supporters, celebrities from different walks of life and the public at large have joined the tramp. From across the many places of the yatra, issues ranging from farmers’ plight, women security, unemployment and rising prices have all been brought to light. These problems gained prominence and became especially meaningful given the lack of reportage of the yatra in mainstream media.
The BJY has given the Congress the much-needed oxygen to resurrect itself from a series of electoral debacles. It remains to be seen to what extent Rahul Gandhi’s image has been revived, and how far the yatra will help the Congress in its preparations for the LS 2024 polls. Nevertheless, the Bharat Jodo Yatra has already become a revolutionary moment in national politics.
Ranganathan Sivakumar
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