Cong plans march in UP to highlight women safety

 The Congress has decided to organise a 10-day 'patyatra' in Uttar Pradesh from September 30 to target the Yogi Adityanath government over the issue of women's security in the backdrop of rape accusation against former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Union Minister Swami Chinmayanand.

The 'patyatra', likely to be joined by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress General Secretary in-charge of Eastern UP, will start from Shahjahanpur and conclude in Lucknow, covering a distance of about 180 kms.

The decision to launch the march from Shahjahanpur assumes significance as this is the place where Chinmayanand is facing the rape allegations levelled by a 23-year-old student.

The Congress has been accusing the Yogi government of shielding Chinmayanand and targeting the victim who has been sent to jail on the charges of extortion.

During the march, Congress workers and leaders will raise the issues concerning women's security. All leaders and workers have been asked to join the march. The participants will walk around 20 km a day.

The party will also be highlighting the issues of farmers and unemployment.

An advance team has been sent to Shahjahanpur to prepare for the programme. Priyanka Gandhi has held meetings with all secretaries working in UP.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said crimes against women were rising in the state and the Yogi government was shielding the accused.

Priyanka has slammed the BJP government in UP, saying it is insensitive towards women's security.IANS