Cong to launch second phase of outreach campaign from Faizpur

The Congress in Maharashtra is launching Thursday the second phase of its 'Jan Sangharsh Yatra' from Jalgaon's Faizpur, which had hosted the national session of the party in 1936 that was attended by stalwarts including Mahatma Gandhi.

Congress general secretary Mallikarjun Kharge, party's state unit chief Ashok Chavan, former Union minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, senior leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil and others would take part in the second phase of the yatra.

The first phase of the mass outreach programme, aimed at "exposing" the BJP-Shiv Sena government, was launched in Kolhapur on August 31. It concluded on September 8 in Pune.

"Instead of fulfilled its promises, the government has hoodwinked people by lying to them. The aim of the yatra is to inform the people about the government's anti-people policies and to dislodge the combine," said Ashok Chavan.

The former Maharashtra chief minister claimed that farmers, Dalits, minorities, women and the youth are feeling disappointed with the performance of the government.

Referring to protests by Marathas, Muslims and Dhangars for quotas, Chavan said, "It seems the entire Maharashtra has taken to street (against the government). The yatra intends to protect interests of the people".

Besides Jalgaon, the yatra would cover Dhule, Nandurbar and Nashik districts before culminating in Ahmednagar on October 9.