Rahul Gandhi interacts with northern Karnataka cotton farmers

By K G Vasuki

Holikoti (Karnataka), Mar 27 : On the third day of his four-day tour of Karnataka, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi interacted with representatives of farmers growing cotton, which is the main crop in the northern belt of the State.

The region has witnessed many instances of suicide in the recent past. During his hour-long interaction, Rahul Gandhi said that his visit was aimed at understanding their problems. He assured the representatives of all help in ensuring that the benefits of the 600 billion-rupee farm loan waiver scheme announced by the UPA Government would reach them.

The interaction, held at the Gadag Institute was not a public meeting, but consisted of around 100 representatives of farmers.

Some participants who attended the interaction said that Rahul Gandhi expressed concern over the persisting agrarian crisis in the region and promised that he would urge the authorities concerned to take urgent steps to remedy them. He said that the previous NDA Government at the centre had taken no steps to address their sufferings.

The second leg of Rahul Gandhi's Discovery of India tour has been marked by fewer public meetings. He has been meeting groups and during his interaction focusing on governance and problems of poverty.

Senior Congress leaders, including Mallikarjuna Karge, HK Patil, RV Deshpande and others were accompanying Rahul Gandhi.

He arrived here from Bagalkote and will visit Badami later in the day.

ANI