SRINAGAR: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge today, January 30, commented the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra  (BJD) was not for winning polls but to counter the hate spread by the BJP and the RSS in the country.

Speaking at a rally to mark the culmination of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, despite heavy snowfall he also said that Gandhi was committed to restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. The yatra was held to combat hatred, not to win elections. Hatred is being disseminated across the nation by BJP members. Kharge said at the rally here to commemorate the conclusion of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, that Rahul Gandhi has demonstrated his ability to unify the nation on issues like unemployment and inflation from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.
Kharge said that the BJP, the RSS, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were following a programme that was growing the gap between the country's rich and poor.

"(Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji, the RSS, and the BJP want to keep the wealthy rich and keep the poor poor." He said, 10% of the population is robbing the country of its 72% riches, while 50% hold only 3%.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stated during the rally that she was initially unsure if people would participate in the yatra. My brother has been walking for the last 5 months from Kanyakumari. Earlier I also thought, it was a long journey whether people will come out, but they came out everywhere. They came out because people of the country have spirit for unity,'' she said.

She said Gandhi, as he was entering Jammu and Kashmir, sent a message to their mother Sonia Gandhi saying that he was going home.  "The yatra was backed by the entire nation." The nation cannot gain from the politics that are currently taking place. Politics that sow discord cannot be advantageous to the nation. She continued, "Those who walked have provided a glimpse of hope.

Bharat Jodo Yatra resumes again, Mehbooba Mufti also joined

Bharat Jodo Yatra suspended temporarily, Here is why

Congress Bharat Jodo Yatra enters Kashmir