'UP govt creating hurdles in BJP's pro-farmer yatra'

Lucknow, Jun 8: BJP today (June 8) alleged that the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh was creating hurdles in its four-day-long ''Kisan Bachao Yatra'', preventing party leaders from meeting the farmers affected by land acquisition for the Yamuna Expressway project.

"The roads which we have to take to meet villagers in five districts affected by land acquisition for the Yamuna Expressway project between Agra and Gautam Buddha Nagar has been cut at several places using JCB machines," BJP national vice president Kalraj Mishra, who is leading the yatra, told PTI over phone.

"The administration is trying to mislead us and the roads have been purposely damaged in order to hamper the movement of about 250 vehicles during the yatra," Misra alleged.

He also blamed a private developer for cutting the roads. Mishra claimed that the party workers undertaking the yatra had to clear the roads themselves to be able to move forward.

The yatra was flagged off today in Agra by senior party leader Rajnath Singh. BJP National president Nitin Gadkari is expected to attend the function to mark the completion of the yatra on June 11 in Gautam Budh Nagar, Mishra said.

The yatra would also cover Bhatta-Parsaul village where a recent violent conflict between the state government and farmers had made headlines. Party leaders would interact with farmers to know their grievances arising from land acquisition by the state government, Mishra said.

The party would seek suggestions of farmers for passage of the Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill during the next monsoon session of Parliament, he added.

PTI