Congress launches farmer outreach programme 'Kisan Swabhiman Yatra' to support peasants' demands

Bhopal: Two days after the BJP launched Kisan Sandesh Yatra to woo farmers against the backdrop of the recent unrest among them, the Opposition Congress on Thursday announced to take out Kisan Swabhiman Yatra from 1 July in support of various demands of peasants, including loan waiver. The BJP launched the farmer outreach programme on Tuesday, which is viewed as a major damage control exercise to reach out to farmers after the recent protests in parts of the state. [caption id=“attachment_3759105” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Arun Yadav with farmers. Twitter/@MPArunYadav[/caption] Announcing the Congress’ programme, the state unit Congress president Arun Yadav said the 10-day yatra was being organised to back various demands of cultivators. “The Kisan Swabhiman Yatra will reach villages to support the distressed farmers’ demands in Madhya Pradesh,” AICC general secretary and party’s state affairs in-charge Mohan Prakash said in a joint press conference with Yadav. He said the yatra will culminate in a rally in Lahar area in Bhind district on 10 July, which will be addressed by senior Congress leaders. “Among other demands, we want the Centre and the state governments to waive loans of farmers, buy their farm produce at satisfactory prices and implement the Swaminathan Commission report for well being of farmers,” the Congress leaders said. Yadav said the condition of farmers in Madhya Pradesh was worrisome and that as many as 42 cultivators have ended their life since 9 June this year. Mohan Prakash said farmers are “deeply dejected” and are killing themselves since five peasants were killed and six others were injured in the police firing in Mandsaur on 6 June. Under the BJP’s Kisan Sandesh Yatra, the public representatives of the party will interact with farmers and hear their grievances. They would inform the peasants about various welfare schemes being run by the state and Central governments, a party leader said on Thursday. “During the yatra, we will dispel the misconceptions being spread among farmers by vested interests. The basic aim of our programme is to connect farmers with the government’s policies and remove any doubts they are having about the state administration,” state BJP general secretary VD Sharma said. Farmers in various parts of the state resorted to protests earlier this month for various demands like loan waiver and better remuneration for agricultural produce.