Rahul’s raincoat, flying kisses steal day 1; Raut, Bana Singh stroll alongside Gandhi on wet Friday in Kathua – The Dispatch

KATHUA: Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Param Vir Chakra awardee Capt (retd) Bana Singh have been amongst those that joined Congress chief Rahul Gandhi within the Bharat Jodo Yatra which started its Jammu and Kashmir leg from this border district Thursday.

Because it was raining within the morning, Gandhi donned a black raincoat over his now trademark white T-shirt for the yatra however eliminated it with some enchancment within the climate after strolling for over the primary two hours from Hatli Morh in the direction of Chadwal, a 21-km stretch alongside the Jammu-Pathankot freeway which was just about sealed as a part of the stringent safety preparations.

The march, which began from Kanyakumari on September 7, entered Jammu and Kashmir from Punjab on Thursday night and is scheduled to finish in Srinagar on January 30.

The primary day of the march in Jammu and Kashmir was scheduled to start out at 7 am however might start solely after 7.45 am in view of inclement climate, Congress Common Secretary Jairam Ramesh informed reporters on the finish of the primary day of the yatra.

“Immediately is the 126th day of the yatra which crossed completely different states and at last reached J&Okay the place it’s going to spend the final 10 days. Immediately, we lined 21 km below the management of Gandhi,” Ramesh, flanked by senior Congress leaders together with former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh, mentioned.

He mentioned after a day break on Saturday, the yatra will resume on Sunday from Hiranagar in Kathua and can attain Jammu on January 23. It would have one other break on January 26 (Republic Day) earlier than commencing in Kashmir valley.

Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Vikar Rasool Wani and his predecessor G A Mir additionally accompanied Gandhi throughout the over five-hour lengthy march.

Raut mentioned he has come to affix the yatra on behalf of his celebration.

“The ambiance within the nation is altering quick and I’m seeing Gandhi as a pacesetter who’s elevating his voice on actual points.

“The way in which persons are connecting with this yatra is heartwarming. He’s a pacesetter and that’s the reason he’s on the roads. The folks will select (who could be their chief),” he added.

A decent safety ring, composed of police and CRPF personnel, was thrown round Gandhi as he began strolling alongside together with his supporters regardless of the rains which lashed vast elements of Jammu and Kashmir since early on Friday morning.

A delegation of veterans led by captain (Retd) Bana Singh who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra – the very best wartime gallantry medal for his bravery throughout operation Rajiv within the highest battlefield of Siachen in Ladakh in 1988 – additionally joined the foot march and walked alongside Gandhi for over 40 minutes.

Gandhi smiled, waved and flashed kisses to a household which had climbed on the terrace of their home and flashed ‘BJP’ and ‘Pappu’ on items of papers, whereas an enthusiastic Congress supporter was silenced by volunteers as he tried to lift slogans in opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Many Congress activists and supporters carrying tricolours turned up a few hours earlier than the beginning of the yatra, whereas hundreds of males, girls and kids have been seen lined up on each side of the roads with a lot of them carrying placards, flower petals and garlands at completely different locations enroute to welcome Gandhi.

“We’re on a stroll to combat the ideology of hate and violence… the ideology which is in opposition to the poor and driving kids in the direction of unemployment. These are the targets we’re preventing for and those that wish to be part of are welcome and those that don’t wish to be part of better of luck to them,” Digvijay Singh mentioned.

Thanking the folks for turning up in giant numbers regardless of rains, Wani mentioned a complete of 90 deputations together with Kashmiri Pandits are anticipated to satisfy Gandhi throughout his march by means of Jammu area.

“Public is confronted with quite a lot of points as BJP has carried out nothing for the general public welfare over the previous 9 years. Congress has given possession rights to the poor by means of Roshi laws, however BJP dusted it and is taking again that land. The persons are confronted with the worst type of oppression below BJP dispensation,” he alleged.

Wani mentioned the folks of Jammu and Kashmir are having excessive hopes with Gandhi and the Congress is not going to disappoint them.

Sitaro Devi, a lady amongst a big group of individuals ready for the yatra to cross by means of at Padwal, mentioned Gandhi is talking the reality as inflation has skyrocketed previously eight years, unemployment is on the rise and it is rather tough for housewives to run their kitchens.

Haryana resident Pandit Dinesh Sharma, who has been strolling barefoot from Kanyakumari, mentioned, “I’ve taken a pledge to not put on footwear until Rahul turns into the prime minister of the nation.”