'Why can't farmers of sea have a ministry in Delhi': Rahul tells fishermen in Puducherry

New Delhi, Feb 17: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived in Puducherry on Wednesday to launch party campaign in poll-bound state. The visit assumes significance given the current political situation in the state.

"The current govt is attacking small and medium businesses because they want all businesses to be controlled by big corporations. Our view is different. We want to strengthen small and medium businesses because we believe that's the strength of this country," Gandhi said at the meeting with fishermen.

"The government passed 3 Bills against farmers, the backbone of a nation. You must be wondering why am I talking about farmers at a meeting of fishermen. I consider you as farmers of the sea. If farmers of land can have a ministry in Delhi, why is it that farmers of the sea don't have the same," he added.

Congress government led by Chief Minister V Narayanasamy is looking for another term.

With resignations of four MLAs, the strength of the Congress in the 33-member assembly has been decreased to 10 including the Speaker. Its ally DMK has three members and an independent also supports the government. The opposition has 14 MLAs.

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said Gandhi would address fishermen in neighbouring Solai Nagar in Muthialpet assembly constituency and then proceed for an interaction with students of the Bharathidasan Government College for women.

Narayanasamy said the students had through an e-mail requested that Rahul Gandhi address them when he visits Puducherry and this has been conceded by the leader.

After the interaction, the AICC leader would address a public meeting organised by the ruling Congress, he added.

The Union Territory, along with neighbouring Tamil Nadu, will go to the Assembly polls in the next few months.

Narayanasamy said Congress would fight the polls in alliance with the parties constituting the secular democratic alliance including the DMK.