Rahul takes train to Punjab, meets distressed farmers

Flush with newfound confidence post his 56-day break, Rahul Gandhi today traveled ‘general class’ by Sachkhand Express slicing through Haryana before reaching grain bowls of Punjab to see “with my own eyes” the “sufferings” of farmers unable to sell their produce to state agencies in remunerative prices.

At Khanna grain market, known to be the biggest in Asia, the Gandhi scion accused the “government of traders” was trying to dilute the pro-farmer provisions in the land procurement legislation.

Stating from the top of his jeep, “Both the Centre and State are responsible for the sorry state of peasants. On one side the government wants ‘Make in India’, and on the other, it leaves behind farmers.”

Rahul said the Congress would boost farmers’ plight in Parliament and other forums.

The wheat crop across hundreds of acres has shriveled in recent unseasonal rain and hailstorm, leaving farmers at the mercy of state aid, which is still to come in full measure, causing agony sale farmer suicides.

Adorned in a brown t-shirt and jeans and sporting a stubble, Rahul was accompanied by senior party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, Punjab Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar, state party chief Partap Singh Bajwa and former Punjab CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal.