The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee leaders have managed to rope in party vice-president Rahul Gandhi to undertake a padayatra in the second week of May as part of the party’s campaign to “expose State and Central governments’ insensitivity” towards the plight of the farming community.
“Though exact dates have not yet been finalised, we are keen that he visit the State on May 9,” a senior Telangana Pradesh Congress functionary told The Hindu on Wednesday.
According to senior party functionaries, the party is considering three separate possible places for Mr. Gandhi’s proposed padayatra, out of which one will be selected. One could be either Gajwel or Narsapur constituency in Medak district. The other likely places are Parigi (Ranga Reddy) and Nirmal (Adilabad district).
Buoyed by the response to the rally that focussed on the woes of farmers, the first rally of Mr. Gandhi after his political sabbatical, the Telangana leaders have planned the Congress vice-president’s padayatra. That they want to make his visit to Telangana a big event is evident in the meticulous planning being done behind the scenes.
The TPCC chief, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, is already in New Delhi to discuss the nitty-gritty of Mr. Gandhi’s visit. He is expected to travel to Hyderabad and proceed to a chosen village for night halt.
From there the next day, he will commence his padayatra and meet the farmers’ en route. He will also visit the farmlands and take a break to have lunch with farmers. “We are planning his padayatra in such a way that he can cover a distance of at least 20-25 km, through places where farmers have been hit the most,” a senior leader, who did not wish to be identified, said.
Congress MLA from Kalwakurthy, Challa Vamsichand Reddy, who is also the State Youth Congress president, told The Hindu that Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s visit would certainly bolster the image of the party.
“His visit will rejuvenate the party cadres and leaders and also help us in exposing the insensitive nature of the State and Central governments,” he said.
The Congress leadership has been vociferous in its criticism of the TRS government for neglecting the interests of farmers.
It has alleged that over 700 farmers have committed suicide since the TRS government came to power. The figure has been contested by the State government, which insists that only 96 farmers died. The Congress leaders are keen to corner the government by making Rahul Gandhi talk to farmers directly.
