Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is set to launch the final phase of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Maharashtra’s Nandurbar district, marking the first Gandhi family visit since 2010. Despite Sonia Gandhi’s planned visit in 2014 being canceled, the district, once a Congress stronghold, is now politically dominated by the BJP. BJP leader Heena Gavit represents the seat in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi’s visit on March 12 includes participating in the Adivasi Nyay Holi Sammelan, addressing an Adivasi Nyay Sabha, and heading towards Dhule.
This yatra, commencing in Manipur on January 14 and covering 6,700 km across 15 states, emphasizes the message of ‘nyay’ (justice) while connecting with ordinary citizens. The six-day Maharashtra leg spans over 400 km, passing through Dhule, Malegaon, Nashik, and Thane before concluding in Mumbai on March 16.
The Congress party strategically adds ‘adivasi’ (tribal) to the political rally’s name, aiming to address tribal concerns and attract their support. Historically a Congress bastion post-Independence, Nandurbar elected Congress candidates eight times in Lok Sabha polls until 2014, when the BJP secured victory. In the 2019 polls, the BJP maintained its dominance.
Political analysts interpret this yatra as an effort by the Congress to reconnect with voters, especially tribals, and regain its political standing in Nandurbar. Rahul Gandhi’s engagement with tribal traditions during the Holi celebration and addressing their issues during the Nyay Sabha highlights the party’s commitment to inclusivity and social justice.
As the yatra progresses through Maharashtra, it symbolizes the Congress party’s determination to resonate with diverse communities and underscores their agenda of justice and inclusiveness. The political dynamics in Nandurbar, now under BJP influence, pose a challenge for Rahul Gandhi to rekindle Congress’s foothold in the region and establish a connect with the electorate.
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