Victory from Wayanad

 

Route of Rahul Gandhi's Nyay Yatra. 

- Brian Mendonca

The nation waited with baited breath until the results were out. And then, there it was. 

One person whose victory was welcomed was that of Rahul Gandhi (53). Vilified for almost every thing he did in the run up to the elections, he went on undaunted. 

His conviction in reaching out to the masses was  vindicated by the results. Through his Bharat Jodo campaign he travelled the length and breadth of the country. He listened to the poor and the marginalized. 

He was a traveller stopping by many places. The yatra was historic as it catapulted the Congress to prominence. 

There were two yatras. The first was the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir from 7 September 2022 to 30 January 2023. He covered over 4000 kms. across 75 districts. 

The second yatra was thr Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Imphal to Mumbai from 14 January to 16 March this year. He covered 6713 kms. mostly by bus. 

I was recalling some of the places I had travelled to which were along Rahul's route. Jorhat, Kohima, Patna, Srinagar were all part of my A Peace of India: Poems in Transit (2011) collection.

Travelling transforms. Rahul realized this. India returned him a verdict he had already anticipated. He did not retaliate with anger at all the barbs and jibes he received. He was asked to vacate his official accommodation after he was disqualified. 

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Pic courtesy The Week. Updated 13 June 2024.