Congress must be the pivot of winning opposition alliance in 2024: Jairam Ramesh

Gandhi resumed Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kashmir from Awantipora area in Pulwama district after facing security scare on the first day in Qazigund due to which he had to suspend his yatra.

The Congress leader was joined by his sister Priyanka Vadra Gandhi and former chief minister of J&K Mehbooba Mufti during the yatra which is scheduled to conclude on Srinagar on January 30. By the end of this 136 day yatra Gandhi will complete 4080 km distance across the 75 districts of the country, a first such political event since 1947. The Congress has invited like-minded political parties across the country who oppose the policies and programs of the BJP to join Gandhi on January 30 for the concluding function in Srinagar.

“Function on 30th is not a coalition building exercise in the wake of 2024 general elections but a courtesy invitation to like-minded parties who may not be necessarily our alliance partners,” said Jairam Ramesh, senior Congress leader. He further said that the process of negotiations and political alliances will begin after the BJY is concluded.

“Congress must be the pivot or the fulcrum of any opposition alliance…without Congress no opposition alliance is relevant…any attempt to build a meaningful winning coalition against the BJP must be pivoted arround the Congress,” said Jairam Ramesh.

The Congress MP further said that J&K faces host of political issues and his party believes that restoration of the democratic process in the region is of utmost priority and urgency.

“Restoration of statehood of J&K is a must and for Ladakh Union Territory with sixth schedule safeguards is necessary as well so that elected representatives manage their own affairs,” said the minister. When asked about the achievements of the BJY the minister said that the party follows the advise of Lord Krishna that do your duty and don’t fret over th results.The J&K Congres president Viqar Rasool Wani said that after first day’s security lapse the administration and police had put stricter arrangements in place, sealed all roads and stopped traffic along the BJY route disallowing hundreds of people to join the yatra.

“Despite strict security arrangements thousands of people participated in the yatra and this yatra has got an over whelming response here,” said Wani.

The additional director general of J&K police in Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that the three tier protection is in place for BJY and the yatra is going on smoothly. “Traffic has been diverted, there won’t be any problem. No security lapses happened yesterdays, so many people completed their March on foot,” said Kumar.