To regain lost ground in Delhi, Congress kicks off ‘Nyay Yatra’
The Delhi Nyay Yatra, a month-long campaign by the Congress, officially began on Friday with a vibrant and energetic gathering at Rajghat, marking the party’s effort to regain its lost ground in the Capital.
Cruising through the historical lanes of Purani Dilli, including a stop at Haksar Haveli in Sitaram Bazar — the ancestral home of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s mother Kamala Nehru — the yatra is designed to rekindle the party’s connection with the people of Delhi, following its electoral defeat in 2015.
‘Want golden period to return’
We are reminded of Delhi under Sheila Dikshit’s leadership, and we want that golden period to return. Under Kejriwal, Delhi has been destroyed. — Ram Charan Sharma, a local resident
‘Cong fighting for your rights’
The Congress is fighting for your rights. The ‘Nyay Yatra’ aims to ensure employment, fair wages, respect for all religions and justice for women, labourers and farmers. — Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Himachal Pradesh CM
The inaugural day saw a strong turnout, with senior party leaders like Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Rajya Sabha MP and AICC treasurer Ajay Maken, former North West Delhi MP Udit Raj and former Delhi Congress president Subhash Chopra, among others, addressing the crowd.
A major theme of the yatra was nostalgia for the tenure of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who served from 1998 to 2013 and is widely credited with driving significant development in the Capital.
Many of the party’s supporters recalled the infrastructure improvements made during her leadership and voiced their desire for Congress to reclaim power in the city.
“We are reminded of Delhi under Dikshit’s leadership, and we want that golden period to return,” said 42-year-old Ram Charan Sharma, a local resident. “Under Kejriwal, Delhi has been destroyed,” he added.
Sukhu took the stage to reinforce the goals of the Nyay Yatra, emphasising justice and equality. “The Congress is fighting for your rights. The Nyay Yatra aims to ensure employment, fair wages, respect for all religions and justice for women, labourers and farmers,” he said.
A key moment during the day’s events was the cleanliness drive carried out by Congress leader Devender Yadav at Chhath Ghat in ITO.
On yatra’s mission, Yadav said, “The Nyay Yatra will reach all 70 Vidhan Sabha constituencies. We began this journey today at Rajghat, but first, to awaken the sleeping Delhi government, we started with a cleanliness drive here at ITO.”
The yatra also saw strong participation from Congress loyalists who have supported the party for decades. An 80-year-old man, who had been waiting since noon for the yatra’s start, said, “For over five decades, I have always voted for the Congress. I have come here to support Yadav and bring back the golden days of the Congress.”
Another supporter, Surendra Pahlwan, a retired Chief Petty Officer from the Navy, expressed his frustration with the current government. “If the people of Delhi want development, they should vote for the Congress. If they want just 200 units of free electricity, then they can choose AAP,” he said.
In addition to speeches, supporters were entertained by a musical performance featuring a band and saw two bottle-shaped balloons with caricatures of Arvind Kejriwal, accompanied by slogans like “Bol Rahi Hai Bottle, Pol Khol Rahi Hai Bottle”, mocking the AAP government.
Party cadres and supporters, clad in white T-shirts, also carried the Congress flag during the yatra. One supporter wore an oxygen mask to highlight the deteriorating air quality in the Capital. The theme song for the yatra was also launched at Rajghat.
The yatra passed through several iconic locations, including Delhi Gate, Asaf Ali Road, Turkman Gate, Sitaram Bazar, Hauz Qazi Chowk, Katra Bariyan, and concluded at Fatehpuri. The yatra also passed through Lal Kuan Bazar, the site of minor clashes involving the minority community five years ago.
To ensure that the yatra reaches maximum outreach, the Congress has strategically divided Delhi into seven parliamentary constituencies for the yatra. The first phase will focus on 16 Assembly constituencies, followed by stages covering 18 and 20 constituencies, respectively.
