Rahul’s visit to state a ‘relaunch pad’: Experts
KOTA: Amid the ongoing farmer movement in the country, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled visit to Rajasthan on Friday, where he is expected to address at least five farmer meetings in two days, is being seen as a “relaunch pad” ahead of his much talked about “re-crowning” in the party in the coming days.
Rahul will address two farmer meetings (Kisan Sabhas), one at Pillibanga in Hanumangarh district and another at Padampur in Sri Ganganagar district, on Friday. He will address three meetings, one each at Sursura in Ajmer district, Parbatsar and Makrana in Nagaur district, on Saturday. Rahul will also visit Lok Devta Tejaji Maharaj in Ajmer’s Kishangarh and attend a tractor rally in Roopangarh, according the itinerary released by the party.
Hanumangarh and Sri Ganganagar districts of Rajasthan share a border with Punjab. Ajmer and Nagaur districts have a large number of farmers, particularly that of Jat community. Through Rahul’s visit to the state, the Congress is trying to capitalise on the farmers’ anger against the Union government over the three farm laws, experts said.
Rahul had attended farmer meetings in Punjab and Haryana when the movement was in its initial stages, but now when the farmer movement has reached its pinnacle, his visit to Rajasthan will be crucial for him and the party, they said, adding that since Rajasthan is a Congress-ruled state, gathering of farmers and security will not be a big issue. “Rahul is visiting Rajasthan to show his solidarity with the farmers and it is also logical that Rajasthan’s visit could be a re-launch pad for Rahul since he is visiting farmer dominated areas of the state and also he was elevated as national vice president in
Rajasthan in the past,” said Sunny Sebastian, a senior journalist.
However, state transport minister Pratap Singh Khachariyavas said, “Congress has been supporting farmers’ protest against (Centre’s) farm laws from the beginning and Rahul Gandhi has been touring entire country over the farm laws and is also visiting Rajasthan to show support to them.”
When asked when whether Rahul’s visit to Rajasthan will be a re-launch pad for him, Khachariyawas said, “Rahul Gandhi is a consecutive four-term MP (member of parliament) and he does not need any relaunch pad as he is very popular in the country and across the globe.”
Meanwhile, the state unit of Congress has geared up for the Rahul’s visit. All India Congress Committee (AICC) incharge for Rajasthan, Ajay Maken has reached the state to oversee the preparations. Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Govind Singh Dotasara and ministers of the Gehlot cabinet were busy looking after the arrangements.
Commenting over the Rahul’s proposed visit, BJP state president Satish Punia said, “Congressmen are busy in Rahul’s visit, who had promised farm loan waiver for farmers prior to the assembly polls, but farmers are now asking Congress and Rahul about such poll promises.”
Meanwhile, farmers, under the aegis of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), has announced to make “all road toll plazas’ in Rajasthan toll-free from Friday. “The agitating farmers will make all road toll plazas in the state free from tomorrow, while farmers will organise candle march and mashaal jaloos on February 14 in memory of the Pulwama attack martyrs,” said Sanjay Madhav, convener, SKM.
Farmers will also organise demonstrations on the birth anniversary of farmer and Jat leader, Sir Chhotu Ram, on February 16. ‘Rail Roko’ programme will also be held on February 18 across the country, Madhav said.
Cong understands farmers’ pain: Maken
AICC incharge for Rajasthan, Ajay Maken and PCC president Govind Singh Dotasara Govind Singh Dotasara visited Shri Balaji temple at Salasar Dham in Churu district and later addressed a public meeting during the day. During his address, Maken accused the Modi government of being “insensitive” towards the agitating farmers by not speaking “a word” about the 200 farmers who lost their lives during the two-monthlong agitation along the borders of Delhi. “Union government does not understand the pain of farmers, who are agitating along the borders of Delhi in extreme weather conditions,” he said, adding that the Modi government is adamant on not repealing the farm laws.