Suspended BSP MLA Danish Ali has joined the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Declaring it the “biggest drive for unity and justice,” the legislator began the event from Thoubal by joining Congress leaders on stage. Later, he boarded the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra bus with Gandhi.
“Today, by joining Rahul Gandhi ji’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, we sounded the trumpet of the struggle for justice and unity. This journey is a struggle to give the poor, deprived and exploited class their rights and improve their lives,” he tweeted.
Before posing for pictures inside the bus, the two leaders were seen mingling with kids and shaking hands in images posted online by the Amroha MP. Over the course of the next 67 days, the 6,713 mile yatra—which will travel from Manipur to Mumbai in Maharashtra—will pass through 110 districts and 12 states.
Earlier in the day Ali had arrived in Manipur “after much soul-searching” to join the Yatra. The BSP leader also recalled hearing offensive comments from BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri in a lengthy Twitter discussion.
“My call for justice and action against the guilty member of Parliament fell on deaf ears. Instead of punishing my attacker, the ruling establishment rewarded him… In that hour of distress, Rahul Gandhi ji was the first leader to express solidarity with me and stand by me and my family. The express purpose of Rahul Gandhi Ji’s yatra is to get justice for the marginalised and exploited section,” he said.
As the fight in the Lok Sabha intensifies, the Mayawati-led BSP has remained neutral with both the opposition coalition INDIA and the ruling alliance. Ali, nevertheless, continues to be a strong opponent of the governing coalition, actively joining the opposition to criticise the BJP and its policies.
