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The opposition Congress in Chhattisgarh had planned to stage economic blockade in protest against the policies of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state.
The economic blockade would be held on January 31 when the Congress workers would come to the street and block the National Highways (NHs) passing through the state, the party spokesperson said. A high level meeting was held Tuesday to chalk out the strategy and make the event a grant success.
The party cadre would block the movement of vehicles on the NHs that would hit the coal and iron ore transportation in the state. “The agitation would be day long and no vehicle would be allowed to ply on the NH,” the spokesperson said, adding that the protest was against the BJP government’s alleged anti-farmers stand.
The spokesperson said the Raman Singh government had promised to give Rs 2,100 for a quintal of paddy that it would procure at minimum support price from the farmers. “Since the government had failed to give its promise, the farmers feel cheated and the Congress party would raise their concern,” he added.
Initially, the party senior leaders had planned to make the show an exclusive event of the Congress party. As the issue of farmers was top on the agenda, the leaders decided to include them (farmers) in the agitation.
This would be the first occasion when Congress party had launched a frontal attack on BJP by staging economic blockade across the state. The strategy seems to be a warm-up exercise for the ensuing Lok Sabha election.
