Amid heavy snowfall and bone-chilling weather, leaders of several national and regional parties took part in the concluding Congress rally of Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar.
The rally was held at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium amid tight security and heavy snowfall.
Due to cancellation of flights to Srinagar amidst heavy snowfall, many leaders could not arrive for the event.
Besides Congress president Mallikarjun Karge, and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, leaders from DMK, JMM, BSP, NC, PDP, CPI, RSP, VCK and IUML took part in the finale event.
While speaking at the event, Priyanka Gandhi said that there still remains a passion in the country for diversity.
“My brother walked for 4-5 months from Kanniyakumari. Wherever they went, people came out for them. Why? Because there still remains a passion in this country-for the county, for this land, for its diversity that resides in hearts of all Indians,” said Priyanka.
While addressing the rally, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah requested Rahul Gandhi to undertake another yatra from west to east of the country. He also expressed his desire to walk with him during the yatra.
"On this last function of the yatra, I congratulate Gandhi on behalf of myself, my father and my party. This yatra has been successful. This yatra has shown that there are people in the country who like the BJP but there are also those who like the other idea which is of brotherhood," said Abdullah, reported PTI.
CPI leader D Raja urged all secular parties of the country to unite while speaking at the event. "We all fought together for the independence of the country and liberated the country from British Raj. All secular parties must come together to liberate the country from BJP Raj," he said.
Meanwhile PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said that the country sees a ray of hope in Gandhi.
RSP leader Premchandran declared his party's solidarity with the Congress leader. "A historic movement was undertaken. Rahul Gandhi has proved that he is the right leader to fight against these divisive forces," he said.
During the course of the yatra, Rahul Gandhi addressed 12 public meetings, over 100 corner meetings, 13 press conferences. He had over 275 planned walking interactions and more than 100 sitting interactions.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi hoisted the national flag at the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' camp site at in Panthachowk.
With the rally, the curtains have come down on the yatra that began in September 7 last year from Kanyakumari. The yatra has covered a distance over 4,000 kilometers.
