Cong' anti-Modi rally on April 29

The Congress has decided to take to the streets to vociferously raise issues it could not take up in during the washed out Budget Session of Parliament.

On Monday, Congress units across the country will observe a day-long fast to promote communal harmony.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi is also scheduled to address a rally at the Ramlila Grounds in the national capital on April 29.

The Congress had drawn up plans to corner the Modi government in Parliament on issues ranging from the banking scam, the alleged irregularities in the Rafale fighter deal, agrarian crisis, increasing unemployment and the atmosphere of fear in the country.

However, the vociferous demands for a special category status for Andhra Pradesh and the setting up of the Cauvery Management Board in both Houses of Parliament by the TDP, YSRCP and AIADMK members led to a complete washout of the Budget Session.

The ruling BJP appeared to shield the regional outfits and instead launched a sustained attack on the Congress for triggering disruptions in Parliament. This prompted the Congress to take strong counter-measures.

AICC general secretary Ashok Gehlot held a meeting of the in-charges of the party units of various states to chalk out a protest rally at Ramlila Grounds on April 29.

"An atmosphere of fear, distrust and intolerance is prevailing across the country. Everybody is worried. To give expression to the feelings of the people, the Congress has decided to organise a rally on April 29," Gehlot, who was recently appointed AICC general secretary in-charge of organisation and training, told reporters here.

In a bid to galvanise the party, the Congress president has also directed state and district units of the party to observe a fast on April 9.

The decision comes following the incidents of violence that were witnessed during the Bharat Bandh called by Dalit organisations on April 2 against the alleged dilution of SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by the Supreme Court.