Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Ashok Gehlot targets Assam CM

New Delhi: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has echoed the Congress party's allegation that the Assam government is creating hurdles to the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' led by Rahul Gandhi.

The Yatra entered Assam on Thursday and is set to march through various places in the State till January 25.

"Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is not just a BJP leader, he is a CM too and it is his responsibility to ensure the safety of every citizen," said Ashok Gehlot.

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Assam on Thursday. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at Himanta's government and claimed that perhaps the "most corrupt government" in India is functioning in the state.

However, earlier on Tuesday, the Assam CM refuted the claim made by several Congress leaders of fixing the date for the form-distribution schedule of the newly announced scheme for rural women in such a manner that it clashes with the Yatra itinerary in those districts and adjoining areas.

Addressing a press conference here in Guwahati on Tuesday, the Assam CM said that the state government had announced the dates for the distribution of the forms for the welfare schemes even before it was aware of Rahul Gandhi's arrival in the state for his yatra.

"It is Rahul Gandhi's (yatra schedule) that is coinciding with our welfare dates (dates on which forms are to be distributed for a new scheme), not us who planned for this. These dates were declared even before we knew he was coming," Sarma said.

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra commenced from Manipur's Thoubal on January 14. The yatra will cover over 6,700 kilometres over 67 days, traversing 110 districts.

(With ANI inputs)