The Congress’ much-publicised Bharat Jodo Yatra would commence in Odisha from the Indira Gandhi Park in Bhubaneswar from October 31 for a period of 100 days, informed Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Sarat Patnaik here on Sunday.

Involving social workers, the 2,250-km march would cover 20 parliamentary constituencies. In the absence of Rahul Gandhi, senior party leaders Jairam Ramesh and Digvijay Singh would join the programme in the State, he told reporters at the Congress Bhawan here.

Addressing the Press conference, AICC general secretary in charge of communication Jairam Ramesh said that while the Congress is fighting against the BJP and the RSS at the national level, it has two political opponents, the BJD and the BJP, in Odisha “which are two sides of a coin”. 

“The BJD is criticising the BJP in Odisha while supporting the BJP Government at the Centre. The Odisha Chief Minister is dancing to the tune of the Prime Minister. The BJD MPs are echoing the language of the PM in New Delhi,” Ramesh remarked. 

He said the Bharat Jodo Yatra has been getting massive support from the public as it is spreading awareness on the divisive and anti-people programmes and policies of the BJP and the RSS. This Yatra has turned out to be a political “Parivartan Yatra” in the country. 

National coordinator of Bharat Jodo Yatra Digvijay Singh said the civil society organisations should also join the Yatra. 

Earlier in the day, Ramesh and Singh had a meeting with civil society members at the Red Cross Bhawn here presided over by activist Rabi Das.