Farmer body supports Congress

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) has extended support to the Congress party in the upcoming elections, which is seen as a shot in the arm for the party.

A meeting of the BKU was held today under the leadership of Bhupinder Singh Mann, former MP and National president of BKU. The All India Kisan Coordination Committee too has extended support to the Congress.

The meeting held on Monday discussed manifestos of the BJP and the Congress with a focus on farmers and agriculture. The leaders said agriculture issues were prioritised by the Congress in the manifesto. "It has recognised the harsh reality that there is no fault of farmers in their indebtedness. With the promise of 'Karz Mukti' instead of 'Karz maafi', Congress has identified core problem," they said.

The Congress has tried to address the various policy issues that lead to agrarian crisis, including promise to change laws like the Essential Commodities Act (under 9th Schedule) and APMC Act, Mann said. They welcomed the announcement of a separate budget for agriculture in the Congress party manifesto.

Mann said, after extensive deliberations it was decided that farmers should vote for Congress. "The BJP has shown a complete non-serious approach towards farmers, as they did during the last five years," he alleged.