Centre conspiring to destroy farmers: Rahul

MADURAI: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday wished the protesting farmers on the harvest season and for fighting against the “powerful forces”, an indirect reference to the central government.

“Harvest season is a time of joy and celebrations. Happy Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bihu, Bhogi and Uttarayan! Special prayers & wishes for our Kisan-Mazdoors who are fighting for their rights against powerful forces,” he tweeted.

Gandhi, who had left for abroad on December 27, a day ahead of the Congress party’s 136th foundation day function, returned to India on Wednesday night.

He also attended the popular bull taming sport Jallikattu in Madurai on Pongal.

Besides this, he kicked off the party’s campaign for the upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, where the Congress is in alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK). Assembly elections are due in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry in March-April this year.

Gandhi has been repeatedly attacking the government over the ongoing farmers’ agitation. On Thursday, he alleged that the government was “conspiring to destroy” the ryots and assured that his party will stand with them.

“The government is not just neglecting them (farmers), the government is conspiring to destroy them. There is a difference. Neglecting is ignoring...they are not ignoring them,” he told reporters in Madurai. “They are trying to destroy them, because they want to benefit two or three of their friends. They want to give what belongs to the farmer to two or three of their friends,” he added.