Kolkata: Giving a break to his yatra at its inception in Bengal’s Coochbehar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi suddenly left for New Delhi on Friday for three days after a brief stint in Bengal, while Congress leadership is trying to break the INDIA alliance impasse with Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee. However, Congress leadership said Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra has taken a pre-scheduled break after 12 continuous days and will resume on January 28 with a padayatra in West Bengal’s Jalpaigur.
Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra faced protests in Coochbehar yesterday with people showing anti-Congress placards without any party symbols and flags. Congress leadership in Bengal there was tremendous non-cooperation from Trinamool during the yatra and State Congress President adhir Chowdhury voiced his disonent on the matter.
“Gandhi will arrive at the Bagdogra airport in Siliguri at 11.30 am. Subsequently, he will proceed to Jalpaiguri, from where the Yatra will recommence,” state Congress leader Suvankar Sarkar said.
While Rahul travelled from the Assam border to Cooch Behar, people were spotted carrying posters with messages such as “Bengal doesn’t need anyone other than Didi” and “Rahul should visit other states”.
The journey, which started in Manipur on January 14, crossed into West Bengal from Assam on Thursday morning. During the break, Rahul Gandhi returned to New Delhi.
On Monday, it will head to Islampur in Uttar Dinajpur district, before entering Bihar, he added.
The Yatra is set to re-enter West Bengal on January 31 through Malda, and after passing through Murshidabad, it is scheduled to exit the state on February 1. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has penned a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, requesting her assistance in ensuring the smooth execution of the program in the state.
Earlier, Congress raised concerns, alleging that some banners featuring Gandhi were damaged in Jalpaiguri.
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