Lucknow: Asserting that he is of the same opinion with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that constitutional institutions are being merged into the state, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Shyam Singh Yadav asserted that he participated in the Bharat Jodo Yatra as it was a “non-political walk.”
Praising Rahul for his “good aim”, the Jaunpur MP called his own participation as an “individual decision” and added that he had received an invite from Rahul to participate in the yatra.
Yadav was among those MPs who received personal letters from Rahul urging them to join the Bharat Jodo Yatra. In the letter, Rahul said that the country has changed beyond recognition today and “those who cherish India as a country of immense diversity – of religions, cultures, languages, food and music – can see the attempt to violently flatten its reality”.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore tweeted Sunday morning that Yadav met Congress former president Sonia Gandhi on the last day of Parliament to inform that he planned to join the yatra. Yadav participated in the yatra on Saturday, he added.
Asked about the tweet, Yadav confirmed that he joined the yatra Saturday and walked with Rahul for 15 minutes.
“Yes. As far as meeting Sonia Gandhi is concerned, whenever she comes (to Parliament), we keep meeting. We usually get to meet when we sign the attendance register. Both of us meet casually as we have to stand together when we sign the register. (Congress MP) Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is usually with her when she comes. Such meetings keep happening,” he told ThePrint.
Clarifying that his commitment to walk was made prior to his meeting with Sonia, Yadav said Adhir Ranjan informed him several times about Rahul’s invite to join the yatra.
“Adhir Ranjan sahab has told me several times that I have a personal invitation of Rahul Gandhi, and a written invitation also came. There are two things. This programme is separate from the party. He (Rahul) is the man who is calling leaders and men of every party, and he has said that it is not because he is from Congress. But you know everyone, especially BJP, has made it as if the programme is of Congress. …People are not understanding because most people (in the yatra) are from Congress,” he said.
Yadav said that he believes Rahul’s announcement that the yatra is a non-party programme. “Rahul always makes right statements…(like) constitutional institutions merging into one entity that is the state,” he said.
“…And I like this move. He (Rahul) always gives right statements and I am also of the opinion that today, whatever the ruling BJP is doing…whether it is ED, EC, or CBI — all democratic and constitutional institutions are merging into one entity that is the state. And this is not proper for the democracy of India. I am very clear about it which is why I went and gave him ‘shabaashi’ (applaud). His aim is good and I pray that he succeeds. Till love, peace and contentment doesn’t replace hatred, the pace of development won’t increase. The country can’t develop in the absence of a peaceful law and order situation.”
Asked if joining the yatra was a “personal decision,” Yadav said it was his choice. “If I think something is good, it is my choice. I did not ask the party and I don’t know its view, but Rahul’s aim is good. He is a young and dynamic leader. I appreciate his move.”
“If I have gone, there is no point in hiding, there are scores of photographs and videos. We walked together for 15 minutes. Rahul gave me due importance and clicked pictures with me, stopping thrice. In that way, he honoured me and gave me respect,” the Jaunpur MP added.
Despite speculation of a possible tie-up with the Congress, the BSP had gone solo in the Uttar Pradesh elections while the Samajwadi Party (SP) stitched a Mahagathbandhan of several smaller parties.
The BSP’s move was viewed by many political observers as giving advantage to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) even as it faces allegations of going soft on the ruling party.
While the BSP had in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections allied with the SP, the alliance had ended on a bitter note with Mayawati calling it a mistake. For the municipal polls likely to be held early next year, the BSP has not allied with any opposition party.
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‘Didn’t discuss plan with BSP chief’
Sources in the BSP confirmed that Yadav did not discuss his plan with the party leadership.
Later, ThePrint contacted BSP national spokesperson Dharamveer Chaudhary to get the party’s views. Chaudhary said that he would speak to the party leadership and revert but is yet to respond.
Yadav, however, said he hasn’t discussed his visit with party supremo Mayawati as the yatra was a non-political event.
“If she says something, then I will know what her view point is. I went yesterday morning and 30 hours have already passed. So far, no party person has asked me because it is a non-party yatra as declared by Rahul Gandhi ji. Party is yet to say anything, it was my individual thought and decision.”
Earlier, Yadav had remarked that the possibility of coalition cannot be ruled out and if behenji (Mayawati) decides to go with all (opposition) parties, it will be a well-thought about decision. He had further said the move would benefit all the opposition parties.
Meanwhile, Rahul’s letter to Yadav — a copy of which is with ThePrint — states that “the ruling political party and the public institutions that are meant to check and balance it, have merged into a single entity.”
The Congress leader was also critical of the mainstream media, saying it had become an instrument that serves only the interests and destructive ideology of those in power.
“This artificial noise-barrier has ensured that the voices of dissent, reason tolerance and love are silenced,” the letter read, adding that the yatra is designed to awaken the nation’s conscience to crippling economic inequalities, brutal social polarisation, and violent authoritarianism.
“As an MP, you are the backbone of India’s democratic structure and represent the voice of the people. You are a critical part of this conversation and I would very much like to listen to you and share our perspectives. It doesn’t matter whether we agree or disagree. It’s important that we talk and listen in freedom,” the invite read.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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