Rahul Gandhi's Yatra To Re-Enter Assam, Himanta Government Diverts Route Citing Traffic Concerns

The Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government has denied permission to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Yatra to use the main roads in Guwahati as it re-enters the state following its segment in Meghalaya.

This decision comes after intense verbal clashes between the Assam Chief Minister and Congress officials, who have accused him of creating roadblocks in the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

Also Read: India Mulls Resuming Crude Oil Imports From Iran Amid Rising Houthi Attacks In Red Sea And Gulf Of Aden: Report

Citing concerns about potential traffic disruptions on a working day in Guwahati, the state authorities have directed the yatra to follow the national highway instead of city roads.

The procession has been advised to use National Highway 27, which acts as a ring road around the city, NDTV reported.

This development comes a day after dramatic scenes played out near the shrine of 15th-century reformer Srimanta Sankardeva in Assam.

Gandhi had planned to visit the birthplace of Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardeva near Guwahati yesterday.

Soon after the plan was announced, Chief Minister Sarma urged Gandhi not to visit the shrine before the Ram Mandir 'pran pratistha' ceremony in Ayodhya.

The shrine's managing committee, too, said Gandhi will not be allowed to enter before 3 pm.

The Congress leader and his associates were stopped on their way to the shrine. Thereafter, they sat on a dharna at the site of the roadblock. 

The Congress party has accused the Himanta Biswa Sarma administration of deliberately obstructing their yatra.

They have also referred to the incident in which a group of workers started raising 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Modi, Modi' slogans while Gandhi's yatra was passing.

Also Read: Maldives-Bound Chinese Spy Ship On India's Radar Over Surveillance Concerns