Ahead of 2023 Rajasthan polls, Rahul Gandhi’s yatra route cutting through BJP stronghold is significant
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi blew kisses and waved as he walked past a BJP office this morning during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jhalawar, Rajasthan. In one video, he was seen waving to people on the office roof, holding up BJP flags, with a big smile. Many of them waved back.
Jhalawar is home to former BJP Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. Ahead of next year’s Rajasthan elections, Rahul Gandhi’s yatra route cutting across a BJP stronghold is significant.
A little after 7 am, as Mr. Gandhi was walking on the highway leading to Kota, his attention was caught by what his companions described as a “brightly lit house” and several people standing on the terrace.
It turned out to be the office of BJP MP Dushyant Singh, the son of Vasundhara Raje. The building was decorated with lights and BJP flags. Immediately outside was a giant billboard starring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President JP Nadda, Vasundhara Raje and Dushyant Singh.
Mr Gandhi was seen blowing kisses at the banner and reportedly urging others in his entourage to do the same.
Sachin Pilot, who walked with him, and Minister Ram Lal Jat took up the cue and waved.
राहुल जी की लोकप्रियता
राहुल और भारत जोड़ो यात्रा का स्वागत व अभिवादन करने भाजपा ऑफिस की छतों पर सुबह 6 बजे से खड़े खड़े भाजपाई !!
How does it work? pic.twitter.com/du03aAf9G3
— Rajasthan Youth Congress (@Rajasthan_PYC) December 6, 2022
Senior congress leader Jairam Ramesh was asked about the kisses.
“This is Rahul Gandhi’s style, you shouldn’t read into it too much. He has welcomed people from different parts of the political spectrum,” said Ramesh, noting that he even invited an employee of the RSS or Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh . the BJP’s ideological mentor and an outfit the Congress MP has often criticized.
Mr Gandhi later wrote on Facebook: “No malice, no anger, no resentment – none of this is in the hearts of Bharat. yatris. What they have is a desire to unite India, compassion for the suffering of Indians and love for all citizens.”
He also said that anyone was free to join his march.
A day before the smiles and kisses, Mr. Gandhi had targeted the BJP and RSS, asking why they didn’t chant “Jai Siya Ram” and “Hey Ram” instead of “Jai Shri Ram”. It smacked of misogyny, the congressman suggested, sparking a war of words.
Mr. Gandhi spontaneously gets a PDA, as seen in 2018 when he encountered Lok Sabha in parliament and hugged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, disturbing not only the BJP but also his own party.
