Bharat Jodo Yatra Day 4: TN leg over, Rahul enters Kerala

KANNIYAKUMARI: Congress’ ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ led by former party president Rahul Gandhi and other leaders completed the Tamil Nadu leg and entered the neighbouring state Kerala on Saturday evening, the fourth day since the march began.

Thousands, including Congress workers, gave a rousing welcome to the team at the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border.

“Today, as we enter the beautiful state of Kerala, on the auspicious occasion of Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti, his words inspire every step we take on the #BharatJodoYatra,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

Earlier, amidst scores of party men and people, Rahul and team began the yatra from Mulagumoodu on Saturday. Prior to the rally, he hoisted a national flag at around 7 am, and earlier he interacted with students, who took photos with him.

The Congress leaders were accorded warm reception throughout his journey. Many people, who turned up to see Rahul walking, walked along with him and took selfies on the occasion.

Rahul reached Marthandam and Thalachanvilai in Kanniyakumari district in the evening before reaching Kerala border.

The yatra, which commenced from Gandhi Mandapam in the coastal Kanniyakumari on Wednesday evening, is being held to combat the divisive politics of the BJP-led Centre, and to awaken the people of the country to the dangers of economic inequalities.

During the yatra, Rahul interacted with various sections of the people, MNREGA workers, fisher folks and various associations.

M Krishnamurthy from Thoothukudi, on behalf of Anti-Sterlite Tuticorin District People’s Movement met the former Congress president at Suchindram and placed a charter of demands including the need for enacting a special act to shut down Sterlite permanently, the release of Justice Aruna Jegadeesan committee’s full report to the public and setting aside of the CBI probe and initiate action based on one-member commission’s report.

He also called tor criminal action against former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, retired Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan and Sterlite proprietor Anil Agarwal and sought May 22, the day of firing, be declared as Environment Protection Martyrs Day..

The yatra will cover 12 states and two Uunion Territories and a distance of 3,500 km.