Rahul Gandhi is on a
padyatra or trek through villages in Maharashtra's Vidarbha, where a tragically high number of desperate, debt-ridden farmers have committed suicide. The 44-year-old Congress vice-president plans to cover 15 km on foot and is visiting five villages in Amravati to meet farmers whose crop has been destroyed by unseasonal rain. He is also visiting the homes of farmers who have killed themselves.
There is a feeling of being abandoned among the farmers of Maharashtra: Rahul Gandhi
In Haryana, a minister has said that the people whom I met are cowards. That is why I have come here: Rahul Gandhi
The Government of Maharashtra and the Central Government are ignoring the farmers: Rahul Gandhi
The general feeling is that, the help which has to be given has not been given: Rahul Gandhi
Those who are committing suicide are doing so because they are not able to pay their loans: Rahul Gandhi
This government is working only for a few industrialists, not for farmers: Rahul Gandhi
I have come to Vidarbha earlier as well, but haven't seen a situation like this.. We are with the farmers of Maharashtra: Rahul Gandhi
A few days ago in Parliament, the Agriculture Minister said that only 3 suicides have taken place: Rahul Gandhi
The biggest problem of farmers is of loans... The Minimum Support Price has not been increased, bonus is not being given: Rahul Gandhi
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi addresses a gathering during his 'Kisan Padyatra'
Rahul Gandhi being welcomed by a family of a farmer in Amravati during the Kisaan Padyatra today.
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi meeting the families of farmers who have committed suicide in Amravati.
Thousands of people joined Rahul Gandhi's
Kisaan Padyatra in Amravati today.
Widely tipped to take over as Congress president from his mother Sonia Gandhi soon, Rahul's focus on farmers is seen as an attempt to consolidate the support of 67 per cent of the country's population.
Earlier this week, Rahul Gandhi met farmers in Punjab; like Maharashtra a state ruled by the BJP and an ally.
Rahul Gandhi has declared war on the BJP government at the Centre for what he calls its "anti-farmer policies" and has vowed to go "wherever farmers are facing difficulties, to raise their voice."
Rahul Gandhi, who returned from a 56-day sabbatical abroad recently, is seen as trying rebuild his party after it was decimated in the national elections last May. That was followed by several others in states like Maharashtra, which he is touring now.
Kumar Vishwas, the Aam Aadmi Party leader who lost to Rahul Gandhi in the national elections last year, said today, "He has returned from adventure tourism and now he wants to tour India. His government had 15 years to improve the condition of farmers and failed to do so."
Kumar Vishwas also said:
The ruling BJP and its allies have variously dismissed his recent travels to meet farmers as "photo-opportunities," "rent-a-cause" and "political stunts."
Villagers crowded around Rahul Gandhi as he stopped to talk to them. Others waved at him from rooftops. Mr Gandhi also stopped at a house in Gunji, bending to enter through the low door.
Rahul Gandhi set off from Gunji village at a brisk pace earlier today, surrounded by party workers holding up Congress flags. At about 10 am, the temperature had already passed an uncomfortable 35 degrees Celsius. It is expected to touch 43 degrees by the afternoon.
The 44-year-old Congress vice-president plans to cover 15 km on foot and will stop in five villages in Amravati to meet farmers whose crop has been destroyed by unseasonal rain. He is also visiting the homes of farmers who have killed themselves.
Rahul Gandhi is on a padyatra or trek through villages in Maharashtra, where a tragically high number of desperate, debt-ridden farmers have committed suicide.
Rahul Gandhi interacting with the family members of a farmer who committed suicide in Maharashtra.
Gunji Village (Amravati): Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi during his '
kisan padyatra' in Maharashtra.
Amravati, Maharashtra: Family members of a farmer who committed suicide in Gunji Village. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi met them at their home during his
'kisan padhyatra'.
Amravati, Maharashtra: Rahul Gandhi meets family members of the farmer who committed suicide in Gunji Village.
Amravati, Maharashtra: Farmers gather at Gunji Village to meet Rahul Gandhi who is undertaking a
'kisan padyatra'.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi begins his
'Kisan Padyatra'.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi reaches Gunji village in Maharashtra, to begin his '
Kisan Padyatra' shortly.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi leaves for Amravati for the
'kisan padyatra'.
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi arrives in Nagpur; to undertake 'padyatra' tomorrow.
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on his way to Nagpur.
