#Covid : Government Urges Rahul Gandhi Consider Suspending Bharat Jodo Yatra ; Congress Hits Back; Gehlot Asks What About PM Modi’s Tripura Rally?

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Citing concerns raised by three BJP MPs over spread of coronavirus, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to consider suspending the Bharat Jodo Yatra if adherence to Covid protocols cannot be followed.

In a letter addressed to Gandhi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday, Mandaviya said three MPs from Rajasthan — P P Chaudhary, Nihal Chand and Devji Patel — have flagged concerns and requested him that Covid protocols, including use of masks and sanitisers, be strictly followed during the march and only those who are vaccinated be allowed to participate.

The yatra has entered Haryana on Wednesday from Rajasthan.

“Upset with the rising public support for Bharat Jodo Yatra, BJP’s aim is to disturb it. No COVID protocols were followed when PM did a rally in Tripura 2 days back…If Union Health Min has a valid concern & not a political aim, he should first write to PM,” tweeted Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Ghelot

Meanwhile accusing the government of selectively picking on the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Congress on Wednesday said the BJP was taking out yatras in Karnataka and Rajasthan and asked if Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had sent letters to their organisers too.

The poser from Congress leader Pawan Khera came after the minister on Tuesday wrote to former party president Rahul Gandhi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to consider suspending the Bharat Jodo Yatra if Covid protocols could not be followed.

Khera, who pointed to the lack of restrictions in public transport, also asked the government to announce Covid protocols and said the party would follow them.

I haven’t seen the letter but what are the COVID protocols today? We don’t seem to be having any enforceable COVID protocols in any other public gatherings. Why this sudden attention to Bharat Jodo Yatra if not that it is rankling the BJP?,  Congress MP Karti Chidambaram told ANI

I want to ask BJP did PM Modi follow Covid protocols during Gujarat Polls? I think Mansukh Mandaviya is not liking Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra but people are liking it & joining it. Mandaviya has been deputed to divert public’s attention: Congress MP  and party Leader in Lok Sabha , Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told ANI