The ‘non-political forum' of representatives of farmers' organisations and NGOs at the ‘mahapanchayat' here on Saturday was turned into a platform of Mayawati-bashing with speakers criticising the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, and hailing Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi as the “leader of farmers and labourers.”
Some even asked the huge assembly to ensure the return of the Congress in the 2012 State Assembly polls. Congress leaders, including UCC president Rita Bahuguna Joshi, described Mr. Gandhi as a ‘farmers' leader.'
The impromptu ‘non-political forum' was formed at the Exhibition Ground to enable the farmers and their representatives to present their problems before Mr. Gandhi at the ‘mahapanchayat.' About 40 farmers and their representatives from across the State were shortlisted to speak before Mr. Gandhi's address. While some of the speakers appeared to have been tutored on what to say, others were being prompted from the rear. Only 14 speakers presented their “woes” as the ‘mahapanchayat' was already two hours behind schedule, following heavy rainfall in Aligarh and surrounding areas and Mr. Gandhi's delayed arrival from Delhi due to inclement weather.
Mahendra Singh of Tappal Andolan Samiti assailed the State government for misleading the farmers on the compensation rates of the land acquired for the Yamuna Expressway project and the township. Mahabir Singh of Bhatta-Parsaul said Noida was the home district of Ms. Mayawati and the farmers elected her in 2007 in the hope of getting their due rights, but “have been taken for a ride by her government.”
Referring to the violence in Bhatta-Parsaul, Mr. Singh sought the ouster of the present regime and vote for the Congress in 2012. Jaiveer Singh also from Bhatta lauded Mr. Gandhi for “saving Bhatta-Parsaul,” hailed him as a “kisanon ka neta” (farmers' leader) and asked people “not to forget to vote for the Congress in 2012 polls.”
Dharamveer Singh, a farmer from Hathras district (Ramabai Nagar) demanded better warehousing facilities for the potato farmers. He urged Mr. Gandhi to ensure that compensation for the land acquired by the Railways for the Delhi-Kolkata rail line project was given to the farmers soon. Abhay Anmol from Farrukhabad district said the farmers of the district would gherao the power houses in protest against the non-implementation of the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Project in the district by the State Government.
Chaudhary Dheemar Singh from Noida district and a member of the Rashtriya Kisan Union, termed as a non-political front, exhorted the gathering to “strengthen Mr. Gandhi's hands.” Raghavendra Singh, a Dalit farmer from Ballia district and convener of Krishi Zameen Bachao Morcha (save farmland front) narrated how he had been waging a struggle against the Ganga Expressway project. A farmer from Badalpur urged Mr. Gandhi to visit Badalpur, which was the home village of Ms. Mayawati.
U.P. Congress president said a kisan panchayat would be held in each division of the State. Dr. Josh said Mr. Gandhi would be asked to attend the panchayats.
