Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrived in Lakhimpur Kheri today and joined the mourners to participate in the "antim ardas (final rites)" prayers of the protesting farmers who were mowed down in the Uttar Pradesh district earlier this month.
The Congress leader, flanked by party leader Deepender Hooda and UP Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu, sat among the mourners with her head covered with a dupatta.
Ahead of her visit, heavy barricading and police checks were visible this morning on the Lucknow-Sitapur-Lakhimpur highway.
"Rahul Gandhi Go Back, Priyanka Gandhi Go Back" banners were also sighted along the highway. While some of the banners mentioned who had put them up, others appeared to have vague details about this aspect. All banners took digs at the Congress, saying 'people' don't want "fake sympathy".
The banners proclaiming farmers don't want "fake sympathy"
Preparations for the final prayers were made at a field, away from the spot where the violence took place in Tikonia village of Lakhimpur Kehri in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.
Ashish Mishra - son of Union Minister of State for home, Ajay Mishra - now arrested, is accused of running his SUV over slogan-shouting farmers in the district on October 3. Eight people, including four farmers, were killed in the incident.
Farmers and leaders of various farm unions from various states and districts of the state participated in the programme.
Farmer leader and national spokesperson of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Rakesh Tikait arrived in Tikunia last night for the programme.
On whether politicians will be part of the prayers, BKU-Tikait district vice president Balkar Singh said, "No political leader will be allowed to share the stage where only Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders will be present."
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) is the umbrella body of farmer unions spearheading the ongoing protests against the centre's farm laws.
The visit comes a week after her arrest while she was on her way to meet the families of the farmers killed in violence. Dramatic videos showed her confrontation with UP cops, who, she claims, held her without a warrant or legal order.
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