The Manipur government on Wednesday denied permission to commence the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from the Palace grounds in Imphal. The information was shared by Congress adding that it is determined to begin the march from the northeastern state and has sought permission for another location in the city.
Replying to a reporter's question, Venugopal said the Manipur government has declined permission to start the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Imphal's Palace grounds.
He asserted that the Congress is determined to start the yatra from Manipur and said the party has sought permission to start the march from another location in Imphal.' The yatra, which is scheduled to begin on January 14, will cover 6,713 kilometers and the participants will travel on buses and foot. The yatra is organised ahead of the 2024 general election and will cover 110 districts, 100 Lok Sabha seats, and 337 Assembly segments in 66 days.
At a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Congress general secretaries Jairam Ramesh and K C Venugopal launched a pamphlet and a website on the yatra.
Previously on the uncertainty of the decision, Congress called the state government's decision a "violation of people's rights".
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee President Keisham Megachandra said, "We met Chief Minister N Biren Singh and sought permission for the venue of 'Bharat Joro Nyay Yatra' at Hatta Kangjeibung in Imphal East district from where the rally is scheduled to be flagged off. However, the chief minister has declined to permit the same."
"It is very unfortunate. It is a murder of democracy and a violation of people's rights. The proposed venue is also a public ground," Keisham said while speaking on the state government's decision.
"We will now arrange for an alternative place. Two or three places are being considered as of now. We will begin the march on January 14 as per the schedule," Megachandra further added.
The MPCC chief's comment comes a day after the chief minister said permitting Congress' 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' was under "active consideration" and a decision would be taken after receiving reports from security agencies.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi and many others from different parts of the country will come to the state for the programme, he said.
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