Congress on Tuesday said their party leader Rahul Gandhi's Ladakh Yatra is a continuation of the Bharat Jodo Yatra as his trip to the Union Territory was in fulfilment of a commitment made to a delegation from there during his cross-country march.
“In many ways, this Ladakh Yatra is a continuation of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, “ Congress chief spokesman Jairam Ramesh said.
Rahul Gandhi along with party workers and people from various walks of life had undertaken a nearly 3500-km Kanyakumari-to-Kashmir journey from September last year to January.
Now the party will undertake a east to west leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in a hybrid mode like on foot March as well as motorcade keeping in mind the involvement of party workers in the series of elections to be held in the next some months. Jairam said Rahul’s visit to Ladakh this week is in fulfilment of a commitment made to that delegation, which had wanted him to come and hear the people's perceptions of the border challenges with China, and also their views on empowerment of local elected bodies.
Ramesh said, “ On 24th January earlier this year, Rahul Gandhi had met with a delegation from Ladakh during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jhajjar Kotli, Jammu.”
Rahul reached Leh on a two-day visit on Thursday, later deciding to extend his stay in the region by four more days to cover Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley and Kargil district,
In one his interaction in the Union Territory, the former chief had said he was planning to visit Ladakh during his Bharat Jodo Yatra but had to abandon the plan due to some “logistical reasons”. “So I thought let me come and do a detailed tour of Ladakh. I came to Pangong and am going to visit Nubra and Kargil,” he had said.
In a post on Instagram, he said 'Bharat Jodo' is deeply rooted in every Indian's heart and mind. “The resonating chant of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' echoing through the streets of Leh serves as a strong example of this unity. No power can suppress this voice, brimming with affection and camaraderie,” he said and posted pictures from his visit to the Leh main market. Rahul also rode a motorcycle from Leh to Pangong Lake in the Union Territory of Ladakh.