Madhya Pradesh: Row Erupts As BJP Accuses Congress of Copying Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan's Party Song For Yatra

Accusations are flying as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claims the Congress "stole" the theme song from Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for its "Jan Aakrosh Yatra" campaign in Madhya Pradesh.

The Jan Aakrosh Yatra, set to commence on 19 September from seven different locations in Madhya Pradesh, has become a contentious issue in the lead-up to the November assembly elections.

The dispute began when Rahul Kothari, the MP BJP unit secretary, alleged that the Congress had copied the theme song "Chalo, Chalo Imran Ke Sath" from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. This song was allegedly incorporated into the Congress' recently released song "Chalo, Chalo... Congress Ke Sang Chalo Chalo" for the Jan Aakrosh Yatra.

The state BJP's official account shared a video comparing the theme song of the Pakistan-based party with the Congress's campaign song. Kothari has raised concerns that the Congress has previously welcomed those who support Pakistan and oppose India, and now they appear to be using songs from Pakistan as well.

Kothari also points out the absence of Digvijaya Singh, a Congress member in the Rajya Sabha, from the Jan Ashirwad Yatra poster but alleges his involvement in providing background music. He criticises what he perceives as the Congress's excessive appeasement, going so far as to suggest that the Congress flag might eventually turn completely green.

K K Mishra, chairman of the state Congress media department, responded to these allegations, noting objections raised by those friendly towards Pakistan regarding the campaign song of the Congress. Mishra highlighted the irony that those who sacrificed army personnel for electoral gain are the ones objecting to the song.

Mishra also emphasised that the BJP appears to have forgotten who went to Pakistan uninvited and who invited the neighbouring country's prime minister for his oath ceremony.

On 17 September, the Congress launched the "Chalo, Chalo..." song as part of their campaign, aiming to cover 11,400 kilometres across all 230 assembly segments in Madhya Pradesh within 15 days. The yatra seeks to draw attention to various issues, including corruption, unemployment, and crimes against Dalits and women.