Gandhi’s cross-India march enters capital New Delhi to rousing welcome

By Anadolu Agency staff

NEW DELHI (AA) – A cross-country foot march by the main opposition Indian National Congress party leader, Rahul Gandhi, entered the national capital New Delhi on Saturday to a rousing welcome by people.

The march known as “Bharat Jodo Yatra” (Unite India March) by Gandhi started from the southern part in September and is now moving towards the northern part of the country.

Gandhi, who is walking on foot, has also grown a thick beard. The march is receiving a better response than expected from the general public.

The march has raised hopes for the party's revival as it has attracted attention, ahead of the general elections in 2024. The Congress party has suffered drubbings in a number of regional elections over the last few years.

Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the Indian National Congress, wrote on Twitter on Saturday that after walking miles from Kanyakumari, the march today reached the country's capital Delhi.

“Against the politics of inflation, unemployment, inequality, and hatred, this national mass movement has gathered the hopes of crores (millions) of people by reaching the throne of power," he said.

Gandhi wrote on Twitter that they have come to Delhi carrying the message "remove inflation, eliminate unemployment, don't spread hatred."

"Come, join us in the capital," he said.

Jairam Ramesh, a party leader, told journalists in Delhi on Saturday that the march has completed nearly 3,200 kilometers (1,988 miles) out of the total 3,570 kilometers (2,218 miles) target distance.

He said the march has so far covered nine states and would likely end by the last week of next month in Indian-controlled Kashmir.