Congress objects Covid SOP; Scindia questions ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra ideology’

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia hit out at Rahul Gandhi who is heading the Bharat Jodo Yatra after several Congress leaders raised objection to Centre’s letter which demands ensuring Covid-appropriate behaviour during the foot march.

Scindia said, “Those who are talking about the Bharat Jodo (unite India) ideology, the same party is raising objections to comply to Covid-appropriate behaviour. So it is evident what is the position of that party in uniting India. Scindia also said how can “that party unite India which has not managed to keep itself united?”

Scindia was in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior district on the occasion of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth anniversary.

“Birth anniversary of late PM Vajpayee is being celebrated as Good Governance Day. Today is an important day,” Scindia said highlighting the fact that unlike in other parties, in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), there is no leader, all are party workers. Our family has a very close relationship with Vajpayee. He gave me a lot of strength when I was in trouble. Today is his birthday. It is a matter of happiness, but his absence makes me feel bad,” the union minister added.

A Covid advisory letter was issued to Congress for ensuring Covid-appropriate behaviour in party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra as thousands of people are participating in the yatra and it is moving across states. In the sight of Covid’s BF.7 variant that has alarmed China as lakhs of cases are being recorded in a single day, Centre has advised the party to show Covid-appropriate behaviour citing the lives of 130 cr people are on stake.

However, Rahul Gandhi has termed the Centre’s Covid advisory letter as an excuse to stop the Bharat Jodo Yatra. He said, “BJP can hold rallies, but Congress nopt allowed to od Bharat Jodo Yatra. Is there a Covid threat only at Congress yatra?”