NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said his over 4,000-km ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ from Kanyakumari to Kashmir was inspired by party veteran YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s foot march across Andhra Pradesh in 2003. In a video message on the occasion of the former Andhra Pradesh chief minister’s 75th birth anniversary, Gandhi said he was a true leader of the masses and his courage, dedication and commitment towards the upliftment and empowerment of the people of the state and India has been a guiding light for many.

“I have personally learnt a lot from Rajasekhara Reddy ji. My ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, the march from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, was inspired by Rajasekhara Reddy ji’s yatra across Andhra Pradesh. I remember the images of Rajasekhara Reddy ji walking in the heat, walking in the rain and walking with the people of Andhra Pradesh,” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.

“We have taken some of these ideas and merged them into our ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’,” added Gandhi, who led the over 4,000-km ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ that crossed 12 states and two Union Territories between September 2022 and January 2023.

In 2003, Reddy had undertaken a 1,400-km campaign in Andhra Pradesh. A year later, he led the Congress to a resounding victory, defeating the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by Chandrababu Naidu.

Greeting Reddy, Gandhi said he was a person who lived for the people of Andhra Pradesh.

“It is a tragedy that we have lost him and I am absolutely certain that if he were here today, Andhra Pradesh would be a completely different place, it would not be facing the tragedies and difficulties that it is facing. (YS) Sharmila ji is his daughter… I am confident that she will carry forward the legacy of Rajasekhara Reddy ji and she will do so because she has the same sentiment, the same tenacity, the same courage and the same affection and love for the people of Andhra Pradesh as he did,” the former Congress leader said.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also greeted Reddy on his 75th birth anniversary.

“A compassionate and visionary leader, he dedicated his life to the welfare and development of Andhra Pradesh, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of his people through his innovative projects and programmes,” Kharge said.

“In remembrance of him, we cherish his legacy and pay tribute to a leader who will always be adored for his unwavering commitment to the people,” he said.

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said his over 4,000-km ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ from Kanyakumari to Kashmir was inspired by party veteran YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s foot march across Andhra Pradesh in 2003. In a video message on the occasion of the former Andhra Pradesh chief minister’s 75th birth anniversary, Gandhi said he was a true leader of the masses and his courage, dedication and commitment towards the upliftment and empowerment of the people of the state and India has been a guiding light for many.

“I have personally learnt a lot from Rajasekhara Reddy ji. My ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, the march from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, was inspired by Rajasekhara Reddy ji’s yatra across Andhra Pradesh. I remember the images of Rajasekhara Reddy ji walking in the heat, walking in the rain and walking with the people of Andhra Pradesh,” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.

“We have taken some of these ideas and merged them into our ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’,” added Gandhi, who led the over 4,000-km ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ that crossed 12 states and two Union Territories between September 2022 and January 2023.

In 2003, Reddy had undertaken a 1,400-km campaign in Andhra Pradesh. A year later, he led the Congress to a resounding victory, defeating the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by Chandrababu Naidu.

Greeting Reddy, Gandhi said he was a person who lived for the people of Andhra Pradesh.

“It is a tragedy that we have lost him and I am absolutely certain that if he were here today, Andhra Pradesh would be a completely different place, it would not be facing the tragedies and difficulties that it is facing. (YS) Sharmila ji is his daughter… I am confident that she will carry forward the legacy of Rajasekhara Reddy ji and she will do so because she has the same sentiment, the same tenacity, the same courage and the same affection and love for the people of Andhra Pradesh as he did,” the former Congress leader said.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also greeted Reddy on his 75th birth anniversary.

“A compassionate and visionary leader, he dedicated his life to the welfare and development of Andhra Pradesh, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of his people through his innovative projects and programmes,” Kharge said.

“In remembrance of him, we cherish his legacy and pay tribute to a leader who will always be adored for his unwavering commitment to the people,” he said.