New Delhi, November 8, 2024 — In a bid to regain political ground in the capital ahead of next year’s assembly elections, the Congress is set to launch its month-long ‘Delhi Nyay Yatra’ from Rajghat on Friday. The campaign aims to highlight issues facing Delhi residents and to put pressure on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, which has ruled the city for nearly a decade.
The yatra will be attended by prominent Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, and Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal. Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav confirmed that Kharge, Gandhi, and Venugopal have been invited to participate, along with other senior party members who will join the march at various stages to show their support.
Modeled after Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra,’ which covered over 4,000 kilometers across 12 states and two Union territories, the ‘Delhi Nyay Yatra’ will focus on direct engagement with Delhi’s residents. During the yatra, Congress leaders and workers will hold interactions in each of Delhi’s 70 assembly constituencies to understand citizens’ grievances and challenges faced under the current administration.
Starting on November 8 from Rajghat, the march will span four phases over the next month, culminating on December 4 in Timarpur. The first phase will cover 16 assembly segments beginning in Chandni Chowk, and the second phase, scheduled for November 15-20, will cover 18 constituencies. The third phase, from November 22-27, will span another 16 segments, while the final phase, from November 29 to December 4, will cover the remaining 20 constituencies.
A core group of 250-300 Congress workers will participate in each segment, with night halts planned at Ambedkar Bhawan, Karol Bagh, Dilshad Garden, Kalkaji, and Rajouri Garden to facilitate rest and local interactions. In addition to Delhi-based Congress leaders, senior party figures from other states are expected to join the yatra, signaling the importance the party is placing on regaining a foothold in the national capital.
During the ‘Delhi Nyay Yatra,’ Congress plans to address several issues it claims have been mishandled by the AAP government, including challenges in health, education, public safety, and infrastructure. The Congress believes that engaging residents directly will allow them to better understand the struggles faced by Delhiites and present a robust alternative to the ruling AAP in the upcoming election.
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Rahul Gandhi’s highly-publicized Bharat Jodo Yatra, launched from Kanyakumari on September 7, 2022, serves as the inspiration for the Delhi campaign. The 145-day national yatra covered 4,000 kilometers, uniting Congress leaders and supporters while allowing them to engage directly with citizens across the country. It concluded in Srinagar on January 30, 2023, and was viewed as a significant attempt to strengthen the party’s grassroots connections. Building on this momentum, the Congress organized another campaign, the ‘Manipur to Mumbai Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,’ between January and March this year.
The Delhi Nyay Yatra comes at a critical time for the Congress, which has been working to rebuild its base in the capital following a series of electoral losses to AAP. The Congress has recently sharpened its critique of the AAP government, accusing it of neglecting crucial issues and focusing more on image-building than on substantive governance. The Congress leadership hopes the yatra will mobilize grassroots support and bring the party’s agenda to the forefront of the public’s mind ahead of the upcoming elections.
Speaking about the campaign, Devender Yadav said, “This yatra is about giving voice to the people of Delhi, who have been facing numerous problems for the past 10 years under AAP’s rule. We are committed to addressing these issues and providing solutions that prioritize public welfare.”
With the assembly polls just months away, the ‘Delhi Nyay Yatra’ reflects the Congress’ strategy to connect with voters directly and present itself as a viable alternative. As the party attempts to reclaim its relevance in Delhi’s political landscape, this campaign could prove crucial in swaying undecided voters and securing a foothold for Congress in the capital once again.
The yatra’s progress and public reception over the coming month will be closely watched as it may serve as a barometer for the Congress’ prospects in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections.
