A Congress delegation that is in Jammu and Kashmir to review preparations for the Bharat Jodo Yatra said on Tuesday that the region’s leadership, who are part of an alliance fighting for the restoration of Article 370, would participate in the walk.

Congress leaders in the Valley, however, have their fingers crossed on whether the Centre will allow the Yatra in Kashmir, where it is scheduled to arrive on January 22.

Member of Parliament and Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal, who led the delegation, said three former chief ministers — Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti — and CPM veteran Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami had expressed willingness to participate in the Yatra.

“I am very much happy to say that Farooq Abdullahji, Omar Abdullahji, Mehbooba Muftiji, Tarigamiji are all ready to join this Yatra. That is one of the happiest moments for all of us. All leaders of Jammu and Kashmir (barring the BJP) will be joining this Yatra,” Venugopal told reporters in Srinagar.

Farooq and Mehbooba have already publicly confirmed that they will join the Yatra. Venugopal on Tuesday said he met lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Monday and held a series of meetings with the leadership of the Congress and other parties over the past two days to rally support for the Yatra.

When specifically asked whether the Centre would allow the Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, Venugopal said the Union government was using Covid as an excuse to try to stop the march.

“In Kashmir, we will host the national flag,” Venugopal said.

He said lieutenant governor Sinha had offered all cooperation to the Yatra.