Congress President Sonia Gandhi will address a farmers' rally in the national capital in the second week of April, a move that comes close on the heels of her visits to states taking up farmers' cause and party stepping up offensive against Modi government over the issue.
The decision was announced after top party leaders at AICC headquarters brain-stormed about the party's strategy on the farmer front today and chalked out plans for the rally.
There was however no clarity on whether Rahul Gandhi will attend the rally or not as his month-long sabbatical to reflect on party issues is yet to come to an end.
There is speculation that he could be back next week but there is no confirmation.
"To give a voice to angst and grief of farmers, Congress has decided to hold a big Kisan rally in Delhi in the second week of April, which will be addressed by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.
"All Congress Chief Ministers and Pradesh Congress Committee chiefs will also attend the rally," party general secretary organisation Janardan Dwivedi told reporters after the meeting.
The party has also set up a Committee to finalise plans for this "big Kisan rally", which will be chaired by A K Antony with party general secretary Digvijay Singh being its convenor.
Clearing the air over speculations that the rally could be of some farmer organisation which Gandhi will address, Dwivedi insisted,"it will be a rally of Congress."
Highlighting problems faced by farmers due to unseasonal rain, hailstorm and drought besides the issue of the controversial land ordinance, Dwivedi attacked the BJP government at the Centre and in states.
"Sensitivity and sympathy which should have been shown towards farmers by the BJP government at the Centre and in states is not visible.
"Then there are other issues like farmers not getting minimum support price (MSP) for their produce and lack of fertilisers," Dwivedi said.
