Cong to take out ‘padayatra’ in Maha districts from Aug 9-15

Mumbai, July 18 (UNI) In a massive public outreach program, the Maharashtra Congress will take out ‘padayatra’ (foot march) in all districts of the state from August 9-15, coinciding with the Quit India Movement and Independence Day, followed by a ‘Bharat Jodo’ campaign on October 2, a top party leader said here on Monday. Maharashtra party chief Nana Patole said that just as Mahatma Gandhi had given a call to the British to ‘quit India’ 80 years ago on August 9, 1942, the Congress will now give a slogan of ‘Save the Constitution, Save the Country’ and spread the message across the state right up to the village levels. During the 75-km-long ‘padayatra’ in each district, Congress workers and leaders will also ex- plain the anti-people decisions of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre. “We shall highlight before the people the regressive policies of GST on essential food commodities levied from today (July 18), the effects of the Agniveer Scheme for the Armed Forces, the economy and increasing inflation, unemployment, and other public issues,” said Patole. This will be followed by a ‘Bharat Jodo’ (Unite In- dia) campaign on Octo- ber 2, marking the 153rd birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, to challenge the BJP’s ‘Bharat Todo’ politics, he said.