 "Congress strives to make Kisan Samman rally a grand success")
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, who is being credited with leading the party’s agitation that ultimately compelled the government to scrap its “anti-farmer” land acquisition Bill, will lead the rally. The party had flagged off its agitation at a similar rally at the Ramlila grounds in April. The Congress intends to make the Sunday rally a show of strength with former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, co-convener for the rally, slated to mobilise thousands of farmers from his state.
Congress insiders told Business Standard, neighbouring state party units have been directed to ensure a large turnout and farmers would be coming from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, western Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
More From This Section
The Congress wants to reassert its image as a party that stands with farmers and workers. The success of the land acquisition Bill agitation is a golden opportunity for the party to publicise this image. Gandhi astutely hailed it as a victory for not just the Congress but farmers as well. The April rally, apart from launching the agitation, had been showcased as a comeback for Gandhi after a two-month sabbatical. This time around, the party wants to make sure Gandhi is again the focus of attention. Allies have not been invited to the rally.
Gandhi recently warned Congress Working Committee delegates that they need to be alert to ensure that state-specific legislation did not rob farmers of their right over land. To avoid factionalism that had surfaced at the April rally, All-India Congress Committee General Secretary Shakeel Ahmed, in charge of Punjab and Haryana, is trying to maintain peace between hostile camps in both states.
Hooda’s supporters had heckled Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Ashok Tanwar on stage in April. With Hooda the main organiser of the rally, the Haryanvi pink turban is again likely to dominate the show.