Beginning on September 30 in Gundlupet, the yatra covered over 500 kilometres in Karnataka in 24 days, passing through eight districts, all of which are strongholds of the Congress.
On Saturday, a huge crowd joined Rahul Gandhi from Yeragera to Raichur city. The organisers claimed more than a lakh people could have walked with Rahul.
One of the highlights was when he walked along with a group of ex-servicemen holding the national flag. Tweeting a short video of him having a small run with them, Rahul called them the “defence shield and pride of India”. “Their spirit of selfless sacrifice is a source of inspiration for all Indians. We are participating in the # BharatJodoYatra to bring attention to our veteran soldiers and jawans. They have sacrificed everything for India. We will make sure their just demands are met and their welfare is prioritised,” Rahul tweeted.
Rahul also addressed a public rally in Raichur town and accused the Bommai-led government of being involved in a series of scams. “There is a Rs 430-crore borewell scam. There is a Rs 150-crore scam in the Bhovi Development Corporation. There are scams in the Ambedkar and Valmiki development corporations too. In Karnataka, only scams are happening and there is no administration,” he alleged.
Impressed by the support in the state, Rahul wrote on Facebook, “Thank you, Raichur, for the wonderful support extended to the # BharatJodoYatra. We have walked for 500km in Karnataka and received immense love, unconditional affection, and unimaginable strength from each Kannadiga. The 20-25 days of yatra across this beautiful state have shown me that there is palpable distress in the people, but also a passion to fight for their dreams.”
He further said: “Kannadigas have resolved to fight unemployment, control price rise, and put an end to hate; Kannadigas have resolved to stop the BJP’s 40% commission sarkar, and we will fight alongside them in this battle, until Karnataka emerges victorious, embracing peace & prosperity, once again.”
