Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge has invited Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to join Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra in Uttar Pradesh on February 16. The invitation was sent in a letter to Akhilesh Yadav. The Samajwadi Party had earlier stated that they were yet to receive a formal invite but later confirmed that Akhilesh has accepted the invitation. He has been invited to share the stage with Rahul during a public rally at National Inter College in Chandauli’s Saiyadraja on February 16.

The Samajwadi Party Supremo said, “I hope that ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ will link up with the strategy of ‘PDA’ (Pichde, Dalit and Alpasankhyak) after entering Uttar Pradesh and will take our movement of ‘social justice’ and ‘mutual harmony’ further.” He further added that the team of ‘INDIA’ and the strategy of ‘PDA’ will script new history in the country.

On being asked whether he will join the Nyay Yatra when it enters Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav had earlier responded saying, “Many big events are organized for which we don’t receive invitations. Why should we ask for an invitation?”

The Congress has stated that the detailed route and program of Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra in Uttar Pradesh is being prepared and will be shared with the INDIA alliance constituents in the state once finalized. Jairam Ramesh, a Congress leader, mentioned that the yatra is expected to enter UP on the afternoon of February 16.

The Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra, led by Congress MP and former national president Rahul Gandhi, is currently in its Odisha leg and is scheduled to head further west before culminating in Mumbai.