(Our Special Correspondent)
Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra has seen four tragedies since it took off from Kanyakumari on September 27 last year. Now it is on its final leg that is expected to end on January 30 in Kashmir with a mega event.
As per reports, four people have died so far during the Yatra that is aimed to project Rahul Gandhi as a possible Prime Ministerial candidate in the upcoming general elections next year.
Congress MP from Jalandhar Chaudhary Santok Singh died on Saturday (January 14) in Punjab’s Phillaur during Bharat Jodo Yatra. He was walking with former Congress president Rahul Gandhi in the BJY when he suddenly started feeling unwell. Singh was rushed to Virk hospital in Phagwara, where was declared brought dead by hospital authorities. Earlier, it was another senior Congress leader and General Secretary of the party’s Seva Dal, Krishna Kumar Pandey, who died at the age of 75 while taking part in the Bharat Jodo Yatra on November 8, 2022. As per reports, he was walking with Rahul Gandhi in the district of Nanded, Maharashtra, when he collapsed on the road. He was carrying the Tri-colour earlier during the Yatra. At one point, he handed over the Tri-colour to another person and collapsed after 15 minutes.
Pandey was rushed to the hospital where he has been declared brought dead. His body was brought back to the campsite and later handed over to his son Sheelaj Pandey who was also part of the Yatra.
Just four days after the demise of Krishna Kumar Pandey, on November 12, 2022, another person died during Yatra. As per news reports, a 62-year-old Congress worker from Tamil Nadu, identified as Ganesan Ponraman of Thanjavur, was hit by a truck in Nanded, Maharashtra. When the incident happened, he was walking back to Pimpalgaon Mahadeo village in Ardhapur tehsil for the night camp.
