Thousands join Rahul’s march in Karnataka

BENGALURU: Amid drizzles, thousands of Congress workers led by their leader Rahul Gandhi, resumed the Bharat Jodo yatra which entered day two in the state on Saturday.

The padayatra, which covered 15km in the morning, started at 7.40am from Tondawadi Gate and entered Mysuru district in few hours.

Ater a break, the rally let Kalalegate at 4pm and reached Chikkaiahyyana Chatra in Nanjangud town of Mysuru district by 7pm.

Rahul has displayed his negotiating skills by brokering peace between warring factions of state president DK Shivakumar and Opposition leader Siddaramaiah.

Rahul’s interaction with the families of the victims of the oxygen tragedy that claimed 24 lives in Chamarajanagar has also not gone unnoticed.

Moved by the children’s account of their lives without their fathers, the Congress leader empathetically assured government jobs to family members of the deceased has also touched people.

Recalling the human tragedy, the organisers slammed the saffron party over its apathy for the victim families. They expressed their ire against the party for trying to brush the issue under the carpet and refusing to accept that oxygen shortage had led to the fatalities.

Meanwhile, the police department had lodged an FIR against a Congress worker for displaying PAYCM poster.

The party worker had also worn t-shirt with PAYCM poster besides carrying a flag.

The case has been lodged against Akshay Kumar from Vijayapura district.

Lodging a complaint, Gundlupet town Municipality member Kiran Gowda had alleged that by displaying PAYCM posters, the Congress worker had insulted Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

Earlier, the padayatra was delayed due to rains in the morning. Rajya Sabha member Jairam Ramesh has tweeted on Saturday that the 24th day of Bharat Jodo Yatra that was to start at 6.30am has been delayed due to rains.

The rains arrived ater a gap of 15 days and will benefit farmers.