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Sonia vows to fight for farmers, demands compensation for them

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Press Trust of India Bhiwani
Last Updated : Mar 21 2015 | 6:13 PM IST
Taking the offensive against the Modi government over the farmers issue to Haryana, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today vowed to "fight" for their interests and asked the BJP-ruled states to ensure timely compensation for those affected by unseasonal rains and hailstorm.
Seeking to strike an emotional chord with distressed farmers during a visit to the affected areas of Haryana, she termed them as "annadata" and emphasised on the need to work unitedly for providing them succour.
"Farmers are our 'annadata' (the one who feeds). Today, all of us are sad since our 'annadata' are aggrieved. Looking at the plight of farmers, I think it is the responsibility of all of us that we should unitedly work to provide them succour," she said.
Her visit comes amid increased focus of the party on farmers' issues and its strident opposition to the NDA government's controversial land bill which has brought opposition parties on one platform.
Gandhi said the main responsibility to help the farmers lies with the government.
"It is obvious that the governments (Centre and state) have the main responsibility. We are not in government either in Haryana or the Centre. Still we will strongly fight to get you proper compensation and relief. We are fighting for you even today and we will fight for you even in future like we had done earlier," Gandhi told farmers in Rathanthal village in Rohtak.

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First Published: Mar 21 2015 | 6:13 PM IST

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