Karnataka leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra begins with assertive Congress versus combative BJP

The Bharat Jodo Yatra has completed its Tamil Nadu and Kerala schedules successfully with thousands of supporters, including non-Congress party workers, joining the walkathon. In Karnataka, the Rahul Gandhi-led yatra is expected to traverse more than 500 kilometres over 22 days.

Advertisement placed by BJP Karnataka Unit in front page of several newspapers in Karnataka against Bharat Jodo Yatra. (Twitter: BJP4Karnataka)

In a poll-bound Karnataka, the Bharat Jodo Yatra is being used as a means of assertion by the Congress. The ruling BJP, that has taken note of the crowds at the yatra in neighbouring states, cannot afford to allow it to be a success in Karnataka as well, especially given the dent to its public image caused by the Opposition Congress’ continuous anti-corruption campaigns.

On Saturday morning, BJP Karnataka unit placed page 1, full-sheet newspaper advertisements against the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

“Can the great-grandson of the man who divided, unite?” the first line of the advertisement in Kannada reads. The BJP in its ad has accused India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru of partitioning the country. More seriously, the Karnataka BJP has alleged that the “real intent” of the Yatra is “another partition in the country”.

Not one to duck such allegations, Congress leaders have retorted.

Rattled by success of #BharatJodoYatra the BJP has a front page ad in a Kannada newspaper that as usual mischievously distorts history. Savarkar propounded two-nation theory & Jinnah ensured it got done. Syama Prasad Mukherjee, founder of Jan Sangh championed partition of Bengal.

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) October 1, 2022

Yatra sets stage for show of unity

The Bharat Jodo Yatra comes to Karnataka at a time the Congress is in high spirits following massive mobilisation for Siddaramaiah’s 75th birthday celebrations and back-to-back successful campaigns against the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government.

The yatra is now hoping to bridge gaps between divided groups within the party. Rahul Gandhi, who has repeatedly insisted on Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar unitedly facing elections, held both leaders’ hand during his first public address in Karnataka — a symbolic gesture of how he wants the state unit to fight elections.

Renowned Dalit writer Devanoor Mahadev holds up a copy of the Preamble with Rahul Gandhi. (Twitter: IncKarnataka)

The first day of the yatra was also marked by the presence of renowned Kannada Dalit writer Devanoor Mahadev who handed over a copy of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution to Rahul Gandhi.

“The tricolour has no value without the Constitution,” Rahul Gandhi said in his public address. “The aim of this yatra is to counter the ideology of the BJP and RSS and their spreading of hatred and violence in the name of religion, caste, culture and tradition in the country. This yatra has been taken up to protect the Constitution. Hatred and violence will not be seen in the padayatra. If someone falls, no one will ask what his religion, caste, or language is. Instead, we will just lift them up,” he added.

Rahul Gandhi, in his address in Gundlupet, stated: “Whenever the Opposition wants to speak in Parliament, our mics are muted, and if anyone tries to voice concerns, they are jailed. There is no other way left except to take up the Bharat Joda Yatra.”

Posters put up by Congress for Bharat Jodo Yatra vandalised in Chamarajanagara. (Twitter: INCIndia)

Karnataka Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah said that since Independence, no leader had embarked on such an endeavour to cover the whole country through a padayatra.

Leaders of Karnataka Congress, like Siddaramaiah, also warned the police department over the vandalism of Bharat Jodo Yatra banners, and troubling Congress workers participating in the yatra.

“In about six months, the Congress is going to form the government in Karnataka. Those police officers who join hands with the ruling BJP will be dealt with and taught a lesson,” Siddaramaiah warned.