
All India Congress General Secretary and former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh said that without Congress it is not possible to remove the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and those who live in such dreams should come to the fray. Shri Ramesh was speaking to the media at Bondlakunta in Makthal Mandal marking the 50th day of Rahul Gandhi’s India Jodi Yatra, which is currently passing through Telangana. Responding to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) plan to go to the national level and create an anti-BJP platform without Congress, he said no alternative to BJP is possible without Congress. He called Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao’s Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) said, “People are entitled to their dreams, but it cannot happen that the BJP is defeated without the Congress playing an important role.” “A strong Congress means a strong opposition and only a strong Congress can defeat the BJP,” he said. Clarifying that it would be a direct contest between the TRS and the Congress in Telangana, he reminded that his party was the second largest vote shareholder in the state, even if promoted by the BJP in and around Hyderabad. Shri Ramesh also took a dig at TRS and MIM saying that they are part of BJP family and MIM continuously provides oxygen to BJP. While the Chief Minister of Telangana feels that the 8th Nizam of Hyderabad treats the state as his personal fiefdom, similar to Prime Minister Modi’s rule, which he described as ‘Tughlaq’ rule. MIM supports these parties doing divisive politics on religion and caste. “Congress is the only true secular and nationalist party.” The Congress general secretary described Rahul Gandhi’s visit as a people-connected event where he listens to people instead of sharing his ‘Mann Kit Baat’. “It is a journey of listening and not of speaking as Mr. Gandhi is interacting with the people.” Describing it as a great success in terms of people’s participation, he clarified that it was not for seeking votes but to fight the division created by the BJP in the society through religion, language, food and even dress. was for. Mr. Ramesh said that a new Congress would emerge at the end of the yatra, but whether people want to vote for it or not, it is for them to decide. The reaction of the people is to be converted into votes by the PCC, DCC and other branches of the party. He said that Rahul Gandhi has instilled that enthusiasm and confidence and now the party has to work on it. Commenting on the ongoing controversy over alleged attempts by the BJP to woo TRS MLAs with money, he said the yatra was also about “Operation Lotus Chhodo and Bharat Jodi”. Before Rahul Gandhi began his journey from Makathal, Mr. Gandhi resumed his journey from Makathal town in Narayanpet district along with TPCC President A Revanth Reddy, CLP leader Bhatti Vikramarka, Member of Parliament N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Madhu. Yaskhi Gaur, AICC in-charge for Telangana Manickam Tagore. He greeted people along the way and interacted with young children while walking with them. He took a tea break at Tekulapally and resumed it before stopping at Bondlakunta. Mr. Gandhi witnessed the ‘Ogudolu’ folk dance of the Telangana region and Mr. Vikramarka told him about the historical significance of the dance associated with the Gola Kuruma community of Telangana. He will walk 26.7 kms today and will rest at Yeligandla for the night.