Kohima
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced on Tuesday that the Congress would abstain from the Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22 in Ayodhya, deeming it an election and political function. Addressing the media during his ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Nagaland, Gandhi expressed reluctance due to the event’s association with the RSS-BJP and its political nature. Gandhi asserted that the BJP consistently injects an election flavor into various events, including religious ones, making it challenging for Congress to participate. He emphasized the Congress’s respect for all religions and considered the January 22 function as Modi’s political event, raising concerns among top Hindu religious leaders. Regarding the INDIA bloc’s ideology, Gandhi stated a commitment to a united India devoid of hatred. He assured that the Dalit and other Backward Classes would receive due importance in governance. Responding to queries about seat sharing within the INDIA bloc, he indicated smooth ongoing talks and downplayed reported complications, expressing mutual respect among alliance partners. Gandhi declared the INDIA grouping’s readiness to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, expressing confidence in resolving any issues and winning the polls. Addressing the long-pending Naga political issue, he criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for unfulfilled commitments made nine years ago. Gandhi pledged that if the INDIA bloc comes to power, concerted talks and mutual understanding would be employed to address the Naga political matter. The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, spanning 66 days, commenced in Manipur and will conclude in Mumbai on March 20 or 21. Gandhi received a warm reception in Nagaland’s Khuzama village, with the yatra covering 257 kms across five districts in the state over two days.
