Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday called her brother Rahul Gandhi a “warrior” and said he is not afraid of the might of the government which spent thousands of crores to destroy his image.

Welcoming Rahul Gandhi and the Bharat Jodo Yatra at the Loni border as it entered Uttar Pradesh from Delhi, she said big industrialists like Adani and Ambani may have bought many a politician, PSUs and the media, but “they have not been, and will never be, able to buy my brother.”

The stretch leading towards Ghaziabad from Kashmiri Gate was decked with tricolours and balloons as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed on Tuesday from Delhi and entered Uttar Pradesh in the afternoon.

Scores of Congress leaders and workers gathered at Hanuman Mandir in Yamuna Bazar, from where the Yatra resumed, holding flags, banners and chanting the slogan ‘Bharat Jodo’.

Party workers joined the Yatra amid singing of patriotic songs and beating of drums, as they proceeded towards Uttar Pradesh.

People say Rahul Gandhi does not feel cold even in winter, this is because “he is wearing the shield of truth,” Vadra said.

Rahul Gandhi, who was constantly seen wearing white T-shirts even in Delhi winter during the yatra, has found media and politicians alike wondering why he does not feel cold.

Priyanka said she was proud of welcoming the yatra, which entered UP traversing 3,000 kms from Kanyakumari.

“Look at my elder brother, I take the maximum pride in you. Because the establishment put all its pressure. The government spent thousands of crores to destroy his image.

“But, he did not deter from the path of truth. Agencies were deployed but he did not feel afraid, as he is a warrior,” she said to thunderous applause at the Loni border here.

“Adani ji, Ambani ji brought big politicians, bought all PSUs, the media, but they could not buy my brother and will never be able to do so. I am proud of him and of everyone else,” she also said.

Priyanka, also the AICC general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh, said Rahul has opened “the shop” to spread love in the “market of hatred” and was marching to unite the people.

“I urge everyone in Uttar Pradesh to open a franchise of this ‘mohabbat ki dukaan’ (shop to spread love),” she said.

दिल वालों की दिल्ली #BharatJodoYatra पर दिल खोलकर प्यार बरसा रही है।

इस अद्भुत जनसमर्थन के लिए धन्यवाद दिल्ली 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Un2XE3J36d

— Congress (@INCIndia) January 3, 2023

Camps were set up by Congress workers and members at various points across the route towards Ghaziabad. Small cultural events were also organised at several points along the way.

While many yatris were spotted wearing white T-shirts with picture of Rahul Gandhi on it, several others joined the Yatra wrapping tricolour scarf around their neck.

Many citizens also gathered across the road and their terraces to catch a glimpse of the Yatra.

A large number of police personnel were deployed and roads were intercepted with barricades at several locations to provide the yatra a safe passage. The security arrangements were heightened at the Uttar Pradesh border near Loni, where the flag handover ceremony took place.

The Yatra will remain in Uttar Pradesh for two days and will enter Haryana’s Panipat by Thursday evening.

After traversing Punjab and a day through Himachal Pradesh, the Yatra will enter Jammu and Kashmir, where it will conclude.