Social activist Amit Koul, who was part of the delegation, said they have invited Gandhi to their Jagti township along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

This development comes when amid the country's standoff with China at various points along the 3,500-km border region

The programme is titled 'Naa Nayaki' (I am the leader). The party is planning to rope in one lakh women for the rally from across the state

Without naming China, the Army Chief said in some context Indian soldiers have been able to prevent the attempts made to change the status quo on the ground

"At this time of crisis for our country, where public attention is systematically diverted from people's issues, the Bharat Jodo Yatra has emerged as a powerful voice," said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in a letter sent to 21 parties.

There has only been “marginal improvement” in air quality in polluted cities despite funds worth almost Rs 6,900 crore being pumped in over four years under the National Clean Air Programme.

Rahul Gandhi invokes Bhagvad Gita in Kurukshetra, calls his Yatra a 'tapasya'; he says the fight is no longer political as RSS-BJP have captured country's institutions

The urban unemployment rate rose to 10.09% in December from 8.96% in the previous month, while the rural unemployment rate slipped to 7.44% from 7.55%, the data showed.

The rupee was also a victim of a rally in oil prices sparked by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which pushed India's current account deficit to a record high in the September quarter in absolute terms.

While India's own general elections are not until 2024, some countries, including neighbour Pakistan, are headed to the polls in 2023.