Elections can be won with hatred, violence and anger, but these cannot solve the socio-economic problems facing the country and the BJP has proven this, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed on Monday as the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by him concluded its second day in Kerala.
Buoyed by the encouraging turnout of people, whose numbers increased as the march progressed during the day, lining the streets and joining the procession in thousands, Gandhi attacked the BJP by alleging that the saffron party has proved that hatred can be used politically and to win polls, but cannot generate employment.
< Embed tweet >
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>I lost my father to the politics of hate and division. I will not lose my beloved country to it too.<br><br>Love will conquer hate. Hope will defeat fear. Together, we will overcome. <a href=”https://t.co/ODTmwirBHR”>pic.twitter.com/ODTmwirBHR</a></p>— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href=”https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1567358760666136577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>September 7, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
He further claimed that an atmosphere of anger and hatred is being generated in the country by a particular ideology which is directly opposed to the spirit of working together and harmony in Kerala and without such a spirit India cannot achieve anything.
“You can win elections with hatred, violence and anger, but you cannot do anything for the country with that. That is what BJP has proven. But you will not solve the problem of unemployment or that of high prices with anger.
“It cannot be done,” Gandhi said addressing a crowd of thousands at Kazhakoottam here where the yatra ended for the day after completing 100 kilometers since 7 September when it commenced from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu to traverse 3,570 kilometers and reach Jammu and Kashmir.
However, conversation and the voice of the people have been silenced in India as the press was saying what the government of the nation wants it to say and that is due to the pressure brought on the owners of media organisations by the ruling dispensation, he alleged. “We understand they (press) are scared to say what the truth is. That is why the Bharat Jodo Yatra’s aim is to listen to the people and from that conversation develop a vision for India.
“A vision rooted in your traditions, your past and ideas of your great leaders. But it would be a vision which looks into the future, into the 21st century and imagines what a prosperous Kerala or India would look like.”
But before doing any of that, first the hatred and anger that the BJP is allegedly spreading in society has to be countered, he contended.
After the first leg of the day’s march ended at Pattom here, Gandhi paid tributes at the Martyrs’ Column in Palayam, met eminent personalities and religious leaders of Kerala, distributed prizes to winners of the Jawahar Bal Manch painting competition.
He also met a delegation of the fisherfolk who have been protesting outside the gates of Vizhinjam port here since 16 August raising various demands such as stopping of the construction for fresh studies, increase in kerosene subsidies or its availability at cheaper rates, housing and education.
After the yatra concluded for the day at Kazhakoottam, AICC general secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh tweeted that that the Bharat Jodo Yatra has completed exactly 100 kms and it has “rattled, unnerved and disturbed the BJP, whereas the Congress party has already been refreshed 100-fold. Every step we walk renews our resolve!”
The 150-day foot march was launched from Kanyakumari in neighbouring Tamil Nadu on 7 September and will cover 12 states and two Union territories.
