Rahul Gandhi's UP visit a political stunt, says BJP

Lucknow, Nov 23: BJP on Monday termed Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's UP visit a "political stunt" and said that it would have been better if he tried to sort the problems of the farmers by holding talks with his party ally SP.

"SP and BSP supported the UPA government at the Centre for 10 years. It is obvious that the allies of the then UPA government are responsible for the present poor condition of the farmers. Rahul Gandhi's UP tour was a political stunt," BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said.

In such a situation, how could the Congress distance itself from the poor condition of the farmers, he asked.

"Rahul Gandhi, who had been in power for 10 years with the support of the two parties, should get the problems of farmers solved by holding talks with Samajwadi Party," he said.

Pathak said that the state government has not yet announced the State Advisory Price (SAP) of sugarcane while the month was about to end. He alleged that the farmers of the state were feeling "cheated" during Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's regime.

The spokesman said that the famers in the drought-hit districts of the state were facing a similar situation.

"Initially 50 districts were declared drought-affected, but when it came to give compensation, an estimate of 33 per cent crop loss is made for only 21 districts," he claimed.

Earlier in the day, Gandhi launched a 'padayatra' to highlight the plight of sugarcane farmers in Uttar Pradesh. He took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his foreign trips, saying while the PM was busy flying abroad Congress stood with farmers and labourers.

"When Narendra Modi is flying to England, Rahul Gandhi is standing here amongst you in your fields. I want to tell you that we are with you.

Congress is standing with you and will die and keep standing with you," he said, addressing the farmers ahead of starting his 'padayatra'.

PTI