Our Correspondent
Congress Party today came down heavily on Narendra Modi led NDA government for its ‘ anti farmer and anti poor policies’. Addressing the farmer’s rally organised by the party at Ramlila Ground in New Delhi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi lashed out at Modi led NDA government, saying relief announced by it for farmers affected by hailstorm and untimely rain is worthless.
Mrs Gandhi said that farmers and labourers have understood the hollow claims of NDA government. Saying that even BJP supported the 2013 Land Aquisition Act, she said there is no provision of return of unused land in the new ordinance whereas the Act brought by UPA had a time limit of 5 years.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi also accused Narendra Modi government of being anti-farmer and said farmers and workers in the country are worried as they feel that the government has forgotten them. Addressing the farmers’ rally organised by the party at Ramlila Ground in the national capital, Mr Gandhi said farmers strengthen the nation before industrialists as they feed the nation. He said, UPA government had waived 70000 crore rupees of farmer loans and increased the Minimum Support Price of wheat from 540 rupees to 1400 rupees per quintal.
In his address, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said, the ordinance which NDA government has brought, has weakened the 2013 Land Act. He said due to unseasonal rains, farmers have lost their crop, but Narendra Modi government has been apathetic to the farmers. Mr Singh said the Congress has always fought for the interests of the farmers. He assured farmers of the party’s support against forced land acquisition and said Congress will give a tough fight against the anti-farmer policies of Narendra Modi government.
Senior party leaders Digvijay Singh, A K Antony, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ajay Maken and party workers were also present on the occassion. Thousands of farmers from all across the country have gathered at Ramlila Ground.
Refuting the allegation of Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi that NDA government is anti farmer, BJP today said this is the frustration of the party which failed to work for the poor. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Union minister and senior BJP leader, Ravi Shanker Prasad said present Narendra Modi government is popular. Mr Prasad said Mr Modi’s governance is now recognised world wide and doing so much for the country.