Addressing a Kisan Mahapanchayat in Aligarh Rahul accused Mayawati government of grabbing farmers’ lands.
He said Congress is not against development or making roads in Uttar Pradesh. The land is being taken away from farmers to make golf courses, colonies and racing track. He said when they protest they were fired upon.
Criticising police firing against farmers at Tappal in Aligarh and Bhatta Parsaul in Gautam Buddha Nagar he said they were just pressing their demand for better compensation and not doing anything wrong.
Describing the new land acquisition policy announced by BSP government as misleading the farmers, he said it is not helping the farmers who have already lost their land. He reassured the farmers that proposed Land Acquisition Bill prepared by the centre will be in favour of them. He also alleged that welfare schemes including right to education and Mid-day meal initiated by the centre are not being implemented by state government properly.
Congress leader first listened most the farmers representatives who had come from different parts of the state to attend the Kisan Maha Panchayat.