Modi govt anti-farmer, says Rahul

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the government of being pro-industrialists and anti-farmers.

Rahul walked miles in Punjab to connect with farmers who have suffered huge crop loses on account of the white fly attack. He said industrialists are always given a “red carpet welcome” by the Modi government while farmers are met with “closed doors” by banks.

Rahul visited the house of Jagdev Singh (65), a farmer who committed suicide by hanging last month. Rahul announced a relief of Rs 1 lakh for the family of the deceased.

He also paid obeisance at a Sikh shrine in Talwandi Sabo in Punjab, where he was given the traditional “Siropa”. He ate “langar” (community kitchen food) at the shrine and listened to the holy chants.

His two-day visit that ended on Friday is seen as an attempt by the party to project a united face in Punjab ahead of the elections. Despite being on a strong wicket, there are persistent bouts of acrimony between the party’s top state leaders — Capt Amarinder Singh and party chief Partap Singh Bajwa.

Rahul has taken both the leaders together, posing picture perfect moments of all leaders in one frame before the shutterbugs.