The Congress party announced on Friday that the commencement venue for the Rahul Gandhi led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra has been shifted from Manipal’s Capital Imphal to Thoubal district.
Keisham Meghachandra, the Manipur president of Congress, revealed that despite proposing Hapta Kangjeibung ground in Imphal, the state government's restrictions led to a change in the starting point
Meghachandra explained, "On January 2, we proposed to the state government that the Hapta Kangjeibung public ground in Imphal be permitted for flagging off the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. We had also announced that the Yatra would commence in Imphal and conclude in Mumbai."
He further added, "We met Chief Minister N Biren Singh on January 10 regarding this matter, but he informed us that permission would not be granted. Later that night, an order was issued allowing the use of Hapta Kangjeibung ground, but with limitations on the number of participants."
Despite the change in venue, another leader from the state Congress assured that there would be no alteration to the planned route. The Yatra, commencing in Manipur on January 14, will culminate in Mumbai on March 20. Spanning 6,713 kilometres over 67 days, it is scheduled to traverse through 110 districts in 15 states.
Photo: PTI
Former Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi alleged that the ruling government under N Biren Singh employed 'tactics' to delay the yatra.
Girish Chodankar, AICC Manipur in-charge, expressed that the state government appears 'nervous' about the yatra and suggested that there is a level of 'fear' concerning Rahul Gandhi's involvement.
Due to heightened tensions in Manipur, the state government hesitated to grant necessary permissions for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, resulting in a political divide between the ruling and opposition parties.
After days of not giving ground clearance for the yatra, the state government on January 10 granted permission to Congress to conduct the rally with certain conditions.
Following a meeting with Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi, DGP Rajiv Singh, and local authorities, Meghachandra disclosed that they were informed of a 1,000 participant limit at the venue. Faced with denied permission, a critical situation unfolded.
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However, late on Thursday night, the Thoubal deputy commissioner granted approval to commence the Yatra from a private land in the Khongjom area of the district.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is set to flag off the Yatra from this new location. During the yatra, Rahul Gandhi is set to cover over 6,700 kilometres over 66 days, going through 110 districts.
The Congress leader emphasised that the yatra is not political but a walk for peace and justice for the people of India. O Ibobi echoed these sentiments, urging people of all political affiliations to join the yatra to bring peace and justice to the violence-hit state.
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, originally intended to symbolise unity, faces initial challenges in Manipur, reflecting the broader political dynamics influencing the journey's preparations.
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