List of LK Advani's past yatras across the country

New Delhi, Oct 11: As BJP leader LK Advani set off on his 38 day Jan Chetna Yatra, which aims to eradicate corruption from Bihar today, here are some of the yatra's the BJP leader undertook in the past.

Somnath-Ayodhya Ram Rath Yatra -25 September 1990

Advani undertook the yatra to garner support for the Ram temple in Ayodhya. BJP's first yatra flagged off from Somnath on Sep 25, 1990 and was supposed to end in Ayodhya on Oct 30. Advani was however arrested by the then Chief Minister of Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadav even before he reached the the kar seva at Ayodhya on 30 October.

Later, late Pramod Mahajan took a mini bus and redesigned it as a rath (chariot) for the yatra. BJP's rath yatra became an instant hit with the Hindu masses and also increased the party's vote bank from 85 in 1989 to 120 in the 1991 Lok Sabha polls.

The yatra however, unfortunately ended in the demolition of Babri Masjid that led to communal riots across the state and BJP was heavily criticised for being responsible for bringing violence into politics.

Janadesh Yatra -11 September 1993

Advani's Janadesh Yatra this time was against the constitution 80th Amendment Bill and the Representation of People (Amendment) Bill.

The yatra aimed at seeking the people's authorisation against the two bills. The bills however were never passed.

Swarna Jayanti Rath Yatra -18 May 1997

The yatra was to celebrate India's 50 years of independence, which aimed at paying homage to martyrs and hero's of freedom struggle by visiting places related to them across the country. The political reason behind the yatra however is cited as Advani's plan to project the party's devotion to good governance.

Bharat Uday Yatra -10 March 2004

Advani's Bharat Uday Yatra was to campaign for the patry in the general elections, the 'India shining campaign'.

Bharat Suraksha Yatra -6 April 2006

Advani's Bharat Suraksha Yatra was to convince people that the ruling UPA government was not serious on tackling terrorism.

OneIndia News