Bhiwani: Taking the offensive against the Modi government over the farmers issue to Haryana, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today vowed to “fight” for their interests and asked the BJP-ruled states to ensure timely compensation for those affected by unseasonal rains and hailstorm.
Seeking to strike an emotional chord with distressed farmers during a visit to the affected areas of Haryana, she termed them as “annadata” and emphasised on the need to work unitedly for providing them succour. “Farmers are our ‘annadata’ (the one who feeds).
Today, all of us are sad since our ‘annadata’ are aggrieved. Looking at the plight of farmers, I think it is the responsibility of all of us that we should unitedly work to provide them succour,” she said.
Her visit comes amid increased focus of the party on farmers’ issues and its strident opposition to the NDA government’s controversial land bill which has brought opposition parties on one platform. Gandhi said the main responsibility to help the farmers lies with the government. “It is obvious that the governments (Centre and state) have the main responsibility. We are not in government either in Haryana or the Centre. Still we will strongly fight to get you proper compensation and relief. We are fighting for you even today and we will fight for you even in future like we had done earlier,” Gandhi told farmers in Rathanthal village in Rohtak.
Earlier, the Congress chief started her day-long visit to the state from Bhadra village of Bhiwani district and sought to remind the state government of its “responsibility”. “What do they (farmers) want? They just want relief. I appeal to the government to give right and timely compensation to these farmers. That is what the government’s responsibility is,” she said in Bhadra.
Gandhi visited Gurwara village falling under Rohtak Parliamentary seat, represented by Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda. She was also slated to visit Surakhpur, Jakkhala Road, Gudiani, Mubarikpur Chowk and Karnal.
The Congress President had yesterday visited villages in Kota district of Rajasthan where she met farmers, who have suffered crop and livestock losses, and expressed solidarity with them. The Congress President had led a march of opposition parties to Rashtrapati Bhawan recently against the ordinance on land acquisition which was later passed as a bill by Lok Sabha with nine amendments. Government is yet to table the bill in the Rajya Sabha amid stiff opposition by various political parties. (PTI)
