Cooch Behar (West Bengal):Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra' arrived at Boxirhat in Cooch Behar on Thursday. A group of residents, reportedly TMC workers, waved black flags at the rally but claimed that they were protesting against state Congress president Adhir Chowdhury's anti-alliance talks.
Chowdhury along with various state Congress leaders welcomed Gandhi at Boxirhat junction of Assam-Bengal border. As soon as Gandhi's convoy reached Bengal, there was frenzy among the workers.
Gandhi said, "Today we have reached West Bengal from Assam. I thank the leaders and workers of Assam again. You organised the trip very well. I feel very good in West Bengal. I have come to stand by your side. I want to thank the leaders and workers of West Bengal for welcoming me with so much love."
Hitting out at the BJP and the RSS he said hatred, violence and injustice were being spread in the country. "The INDIA Alliance has started fighting injustice together," he said. Reiterating that he wanted to open a shop of love in the market of hate the Wayanad parliamentarian said, "I have worked to open a shop of love in the hate market." Gandhi will stay in West Bengal for five days in two phases starting on Thursday.
Change in schedule:Gandhi's schedule in West Bengal has been revised after the administration asked the rally not enter Jalpaiguri town on January 28 due to a police recruitment exam. Police have denied permission to Congress to organise lunch in Jalpaiguri on Sunday. Thus, the former Congress president will not be able to have lunch at the ABPC ground in Jalpaiguri on Sunday afternoon.