Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan on Wednesday joined the Congress’ ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ currently traversing in Rajasthan. Sharing a picture of  Rahul Gandhi and Rajan, the Congress shared a video on social media asserting  that  increasing number of people are standing up to unite the country against hatred.

The videos  showed Rajan and the former Congress chief having a discussion while marching as the Congress’ yatra resumed from Bhadoti of Sawai Madhopur in the morning.  Rajan’s participation, however, invited brickbats from the BJP. 

Appointed as RBI Governor during the Congress-led UPA reign, Rajan has been a critic of some aspects of the BJP Government’s policies, including its handling of the economy.

 While the BJP targeted Rajan, Congress leaders expressed happiness at the noted economist joining the yatra. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “A strong and sound economy is a combination of growth and welfare. Our vision is to reclaim that India. We are glad that former RBI Governor & leading economist, Raghuram Rajan joined the Bharat Jodo Yatra in our endeavour to build an agenda for the future.”

BJP’s Foreign Affairs Department head Vijay Chauthaiwale tweeted, “One former RBI Governor became head of Government and country lost ten precious years. Thanks to Modi, India will not repeat that mistake. RRR (Raghuram Rajan) can walk from Delhi to Chicago.”

The party’s IT department head Amit Malviya said, “Rajan, former RBI Governor, a Congress appointee, joining Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra is not a surprise. He fancies himself as the next Manmohan Singh. Just that his commentary on India’s economy should be discarded with disdain. It is coloured and opportunistic.” To mark 100 days of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Congress is also organising a concert in Jaipur on Friday with a live performance from singer Sunidhi Chauhan.

AICC General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said the ‘Bharat Jodo Concert’ will be attended by Congress leaders including Rahul, who will also address a Press conference at Dausa on the day. New Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Congress MLAs from the state will join the yatra on Friday.