Summary:
Jaipur, Dec 4 (PTI) The Rahul Gandhi led Bharat Jodo Yatra will on Sunday evening enter Congress-ruled Rajasthan, which has been witnessing a tussle between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot.
The yatra will enter the state from Jhalawar, the stronghold of the BJP, from Madhya Pradesh and will cover a distance of 500 km in 17 days.
This is the first time that the yatra has entered a Congress ruled state.
Gandhi and other yatris will be given a grand reception at Chawli Chauraha in Jhalrapatan (Jhalawar).
Ahead of the yatra, chief minister Gehlot and Pilot, who have differences and have been in a tug of war for the CM"s post, presented a united face.
Dismissing apprehensions that infighting may affect the Yatra in Rajasthan, Pilot on Sunday told PTI that the party"s state unit is "fully united" and focussed on ensuring that the Yatra is even more successful than it has been in other states.
The yatra will only add to the efforts towards the next election in 12 months" time, the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister said.
The Gehlot government has also pacified Gurjar leader Vijay Singh Bainsla, who had threatened to disrupt the yatra over his pending demand regarding reservation and other issues with the state government, by holding a series of meetings on the issues recently.
Bainsla has withdrawn his protest against the yatra.
PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra said all preparations have been completed in Jhalawar.
“We all are ready to welcome the Bharat Jodo Yatra today.
All preparations have been completed.
It will be a historic yatra in the state.
Besides party workers, there is great enthusiasm among the people of the state for this yatra,” he said.
Jhalawar is a BJP stronghold having the influence of former chief minister Vasundhara Raje.