Cong turns heat on BJP, Rahul to address rally
its ante against the BJP government in Rajasthan over farmers’ suicides, the Congress is set to hold a public rally in Banswara on July 19, which will be addressed by AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi.
“The rally is being organised against the backdrop of farmers’ suicides. In the last 34 days, eight farmers committed suicide and there is zero response of the government,” Congress state president Sachin Pilot said. “Congress is demanding loan waiver, bonus and 50% profit on the cost incurred by farmers.”
Gandhi will address the rally ahead of BJP President Amit Shah’s visit to the state from July 21 to 23 to meet party workers and leaders. Rajasthan assembly polls will be held next year.
The Congress has planned Gandhi’s rally in Banswara to regain its traditional tribal votes, party sources said.
The Congress used to bag up to 22 of the 28 assembly seats in Vagad and Mewar regions, comprising Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, Udaipur and Rajsamand districts. In the last assembly elections, the party could win only two seats. Tribals switched to the BJP.
“Gandhi’s meeting will be historic. Farmers across the country are suffering,” said Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, former minister and MLA from Bagidora (Banswara).
“When in government in Rajasthan, the Congress did not increase power tariff for farmers and provided seeds, fertilizers and crop damage compensation timely; under the BJP governance, they (farmers) are not getting minimum support price or bonus per quintal crop.”
Rattled by debt-ridden farmers’ suicides, the Kisan Mahapanchayat called for a shutdown in villages in on Sunday, demanding that the government waive off agricultural loans.
Last month, farmers restricted milk, grain and vegetable supply in several districts of the state after the Kisan Mahapanchayat called a bandh to support the farmers’ agitation in Madhya Pradesh
Malviya said farmers suffered first under the demonetisation move and now after the launch of the goods and services tax (GST).
“BJP came to power by misguiding people in the name of curbing black money, ensuring ₹15 lakh to bank accounts of the poor and providing jobs to the youth. Now people are feeling cheated and will not be misguided further,” he said.
Gearing up for the next elections, the BJP and the Congress have started working on micro management, beginning with booths. The BJP has launched Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Booth Vistarak Yojna. Booth committee members will collect feedback on state and central schemes, and publicise government’s achievements. The Congress is identifying active members for each booth, apart from strengthening its front wings.