Kargil, August 24: Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress party, engaged in a dialogue with a gathering of young individuals upon arriving in Kargil town on Thursday evening. This is the concluding phase of his extensive tour of Ladakh, a journey spanning over a week within the Union Territory.

As shared by senior Congress figure and former legislator Asgar Ali Karbalai, the former Congress president is set to deliver a public address in Kargil on Friday. Following an overnight stay in Padam, Zanskar Rahul Gandhi, aged 53, rode into Kargil town during the late afternoon on his motorcycle. The enthusiastic crowd warmly received him, chanting slogans in support of “Bharat Jodo” (Unite India) and expressing admiration for the Congress leader. Subsequently, he participated in a special program organized by the local Congress unit, engaging with young people for an hour starting from 5 pm, said Karbalai.

Karbalai conveyed that more than 1,000 youths attended the interaction, using the platform to voice concerns such as unemployment. In response, Gandhi assured them that he and his party would advocate for their rights in Parliament and work towards ensuring justice.

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During this interaction, Gandhi discussed the Congress party’s triumph in assembly elections in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. He also expressed confidence in the party’s prospects in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections and state polls later in the year, Karbalai noted.

Karbalai described the exchange between Gandhi and the youth as a “historic moment,” highlighting the appreciation of Kargil’s residents for Gandhi’s efforts in safeguarding democratic and secular values in the nation by countering divisive forces and hate-mongering.

Karbalai clarified that Gandhi’s visit was unrelated to local elections in Kargil and emphasized that the overarching objective was to counter hatred and promote harmony.

Earlier, Gandhi shared images from his journey from Zanskar to Kargil, including one with security personnel, reflecting on the dedication of those safeguarding the nation’s frontiers. He expressed his inspiration after conversing with them and gaining insights into their lives.

Gandhi’s Ladakh tour, commencing on August 17, initially planned for two days, extended significantly as part of his “Bharat Jodo Yatra” from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, spanning from September 7, 2022, to January 30, 2023. This tour marked his first visit to Ladakh, after the formation of Union Territory in August 2019 following the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir and the revocation of Article 370.