Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra is slated to end in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar on January 30. The padayatra will enter J&K on January 20 and will end with a flag hoisting in Srinagar on January 30.
Upbeat about the journey so far, the grand old party, Congress, is putting in all its might to ensure a successful ending. The top leadership of the party will be present during this stretch, including Congress Working Committee (CWC) members, MPs, MLAs and chief ministers. Almost 200 rooms have been booked by the Congress in Srinagar for the grand finale.
After the abrogation of Article 370, this will be the first time that the region will witness political activity and mass mobilization at this level. It will also be a first for the Congress after the exit of its veteran leader and biggest face in the region, Ghulam Nabi Azad.
OPPOSITION BOOSTER
As a major boost to its mega show, leaders from other opposition parties will be joining the yatra.
“Many opposition leaders will join the yatra in Srinagar, including Farooq and Omar Abdullah from the J&K National Conference, Mehbooba Mufti of the People’s Democratic Party, Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami and Awami league leaders will join the yatra. They all believe in secularism and want to join the cause for which Rahul Gandhi undertook the yatra,” Rajni Patil, party in-charge of the region, said.
EXTREME COLD AND ARDUOUS TERRAIN
The Bharat Jodo Yatra will witness arduous terrain and harsh winter upon entering Jammu and Kashmir.
The final leg includes a walk of about 350 km, but the high altitude, coldwave and snowfall will test the resilience of 163 Bharat Jody Yatris and others who have been walking along with Rahul Gandhi all the way from Kanyakumari.
The foot march will enter J&K from Lakhanpur and trek a stretch of 90 km before reaching Jammu. Then it will cover another stretch of 150 km to Udhampur. Thereafter, the yatra will resume from Banihal to Srinagar, covering a distance of around 90 km.
SECURITY BEEFED UP
In the backdrop of the security alert for Republic Day, strict security arrangements are being made especially considering Rahul Gandhi’s Z plus security protocols. According to the feedback from the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the central agencies have been coordinating with the local administration to ensure the necessary logistics are in place for the yatra.
