Mandya (Karnataka), Oct 7 (UNI) The Bharat Jodo Yatra has received response beyond expectations, and the BJP is on backfoot, party's General Secretary Communication Jairam Ramesh said on Friday as the Yatra completed a month.
Talking to journalists here, the Congress leader said it has helped in bringing to the people the real Rahul Gandhi.
The Yatra has so far covered three states- Tamil Nadu, Kerala and is currently crossing the BJP ruled Karnataka.
"The reaction in Tamil Nadu and Kerala was as expected. There were some doubts about Karnataka, its a BJP ruled state... But the response we got in Karnataka has crossed our expectations," Ramesh said.
"Rahul ji in Mysore, and Sonia ji in Mandya got immense response. This is a BJP ruled states and these areas are JDS stronghold. People are coming in such large numbers. The impact is very positive," he said.
Ramesh said so far the Congress had been reacting to the "agenda set by the BJP".
"So far, Congress used to react to agenda set by the BJP. Now BJP is on backfoot and defensive, and Bharat Jodo Yatra is setting the agenda," said Ramesh.
Asked if a new Rahul Gandhi was emerging out of the Yatra, Ramesh said, "This is the real Rahul, BJP created an image of Rahul which was not true"
"Rahul ji does not do Mann Ki Baat, he listens to people. He does not think he knows everything..." said Ramesh.
Ramesh also stressed that the Yatra will benefit the party in the 2024 elections.
"Bharat jodo yatra has infused a new life in the organisation. It will benefit us in 2024 (Lok Sabha polls). A strong Congress and a strong organisation is needed to defeat Narendra Modi and the BJP," he said.
In response to a question on a photograph of Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and industrialist Gautam Adani, Ramesh said, "Rahul ji has said he is not against corporate India, he is against croney capitalism, against creation of monopoly. If a proposal by Adani is beneficial for Rajasthan, the Chief Minister will take a call. The control of one or two industrialists on the country's economy is not good."
The Bharat Jodo Yatra was launched at Kanyakumari on September 7, and the foot march started from the morning of September 8.
The Yatra will cover a distance of 3500 kilometres, crossing 12 states and two union territories, over a period of around five months.
UNI AO SHK1857