BJP plans farmers rally to neutralise UPA offensive

New Delhi, Mar 13 (UNI) On the heels of the UPA government recently calling a mega rally of farmers in the national capital, the BJP plans to organise a similar gathering on Saturday.

The rally, coinciding with the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma, will be addressed by the party's Prime Ministerial candidate LK Advani and party president Rajnath Singh, Delhi BJP unit president Harshvardhan today said.

Among others leaders expected to speak are ex-Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and senior leader and former union minister Murli Manohar Joshi, he added.

Describing Verma today as the ''universally accepted leader of the farmers'' and the ''messiah of the community'', he said Verma was behind the village growth centre at Kanjhawala, but charged the present government with ''allowing the plan to die a natural death.'' Drawing attention to the farmers' plight, he noted unempoyment, and illiteracy was rampant among the farmers, while diseases continue to stalk the villages.

The state BJP chief also also called for Verma's statue to be put up.

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