BJP Says INDI Alliance's First Rally In Madhya Pradesh Cancelled Due To 'Public Anger Over Insult To Sanatana'

The opposition INDIA alliance's proposed rally in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, scheduled for the first week of October, has been called off, Congress leader and former state chief minister Kamal Nath said on Saturday (16 September).

Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said that discussions are ongoing with the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and other alliance partners regarding the rally.

The two Congress leaders were addressing the media in Bhopal regarding their party's state-wide 'Jan Akrosh Yatra', which translates to public anger march, ahead of assembly elections in the state.

Surjewala added that no final decision has been taken on when and where it will now be held.

Reacting to the development, BJP leader and MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the INDIA alliance cancelled their first rally due to public anger over insult to Sanatana Dharma.

"The people of MP will not tolerate this insult to Sanatana. Understand that our faith has been attacked. This attack will not be tolerated at any cost. There is public anger, hence the rally was cancelled. People will not let this go," Chouhan said, NDTV reported.

Chouhan added that there is no strength in the Opposition I.N.D.I. Alliance's leadership.

In a dig at the Congress party, Chouhan pointed out the internal chaos within the party, with members fighting over whose photo is included in posters.

During a press conference in Bhopal, two leaders from the Congress party discussed their upcoming 'Jan Akrosh Yatra' or public anger march, which is being organized across the state in preparation for the upcoming assembly elections.

The Congress party has announced that seven Jan Akrosh Yatras will begin on 19 September, coinciding with Ganesh Chaturthi.

These yatras will cover a total distance of 11,400 kilometers, spanning all 230 assembly segments in Madhya Pradesh.

Prominent leaders, including Govind Singh, a veteran Congress leader and the leader of opposition in the Madhya Pradesh assembly, will be leading these yatras.

Joining Govind Singh in leading the yatras are several other notable leaders such as former union ministers Arun Yadav, Kantilal Bhuria, and Suresh Pachouri, as well as Congress Working Committee member Kamleshwar Patel, former MP minister Jeetu Patwari, and former leader of opposition Ajay Singh 'Rahul'.

When asked about who would become the Chief Minister if Congress comes to power in the state, Randeep Surjewala, the Congress national general secretary in-charge for MP, gestured towards Kamal Nath, who was seated beside him.

Though the party's top decision-making body, the CWC, will decide whether Kamal Nath will contest the elections, Surjewala said.