Bharat Jodo Yatra Created Wave for Change in India: DK Shivakumar
DK Shivakumar said the experience of the march helped the Congress understand the problems faced by people, particularly youth, women and farmers
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi was not merely a Congress programme but a historic movement that created a wave for a major change in the country.
Addressing a programme organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee to mark the fifth anniversary of the yatra, Shivakumar said the experience of the march helped the Congress understand the problems faced by people, particularly youth, women and farmers.
"Bharat Jodo Yatra was not merely a Congress party programme. It was a historic message given to the entire country by our party leader Rahul Gandhi about the unity and integrity of the country, the pain of its people and the problems being faced by the people, youth, women and farmers, and the need to give them a new direction," he said.
Recalling the Karnataka leg of the yatra, he said it covered 511 km in 23 days, with Sonia Gandhi also participating in the programme.
He said Mallikarjun Kharge was elected AICC president during the yatra and Rahul Gandhi had cast his vote in Ballari.
Shivakumar said the interaction with people during the march became the foundation for the Congress government's five guarantee schemes.
"Five fingers came together and made the hand strong. The five guarantees came together and made the government secure," he said.
Highlighting measures aimed at youngsters, Shivakumar said the government was working to fill 72,000 government posts and announced plans to establish 10,000 Bharat Jodo youth associations across the state.
He said the youth associations would cover those aged 16 to 35, with membership fixed at Rs 10. Each panchayat-level association could have 100 to 250 members and would undertake activities relating to sports, national unity, the Constitution, culture and environmental protection.
He said around 7.8 lakh youngsters had registered online for the youth associations within two days, describing the response as encouraging.
Shivakumar also proposed establishing a Bharat Jodo Bhavan Trust and a training centre to impart training in political leadership, the Constitution and Congress ideology.
Calling upon party workers to prepare for the forthcoming local body elections, he said the Congress should remain focused on its work and ideology.
"At some point, criticism dies, but our work remains," he said.
"Congress is the strength of this country. The history of Congress is the history of this country. If Congress comes to power, people from all sections will come to power," Shivakumar said.
He also urged Congress workers to strengthen the leadership of Kharge and Rahul Gandhi and work towards taking the party's message to people.