Rahul Gandhi attacks Maya on land acquisition policy

Rahul attacks Maya on land acquisition policy

Last Updated : 06 Jul 2011

SHABOTA: For the first time after starting a campaign against the government's land takeover, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Wednesday attacked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati by name.

Addressing people in a temple complex in this village in Gautam Budh Nagar district, Gandhi said Mayawati was trying to hush up the victims of her land acquisition policy that has sparked mass protests.

"Mayawati declared a new compensation policy but has she ever implemented the existing one?" Gandhi asked the 200-strong crowd that included both men and women.

"Justice has not been done to farmers whose land has been acquired."

The Congress general secretary reached this village shortly after 7 a.m., after trekking three-four kilometres from another village where he spent the night.

Gandhi has been on a 'padayatra' since Tuesday morning protesting against the takeover of farmers' land by the government.

Until he reached Shabota village, about 85 km from Delhi's border, Gandhi had avoided attacking Mayawati by name.

In response to questions from villagers, Gandhi, who was seated on a chair while most people squatted on the ground, said that he was a witness to the plight of farmers whose land had been forcibly acquired.

"Their ancestral land was grabbed by the government without any notice," he said, adding that the administration had not given the farmers "fair rates" for the land.

He went on: "Till now, I have not seen any farmer saying he will not give land for development, for school or hospitals. All they want is justice."

Sensing the mood of the gathering, Gandhi said: "We have to pressure Mayawati... Mayawati's injustice has to end."

Will Section 144 halt Rahul's march?

While Rahul Gandhi continues his padyatra against forcible land acquisition in Uttar Pradesh, officials Wednesday hinted the Congress general secretary's march could come to a halt after he enters Aligarh in the wake of the imposition of Section 144 in the district.

Though officials say the Gandhi scion will surely be allowed to hold the Congress-organised Kisan Mahapanchayat April 9, they are of the view that he will not be allowed to continue his padyatra in Aligarh villages. The district authorities have prohibited any gathering of five or more people under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Though it's not certain when Gandhi will reach Aligarh, some Congress activists expect him to arrive here by late Wednesday.

"The state government has allowed the Congress to hold only Kisan Mahapanchayat, permission has not been given for holding any event. Under such circumstances, Rahul Gandhi might not be allowed to carry forward his padyatra and hold informal meetings with the villagers," a district administration official told IANS.

Gandhi, who has been trying to drum up anti-Mayawati sentiments because of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) government's land acquisition policy, launched his padyatra Tuesday.

"We are waiting for the state government's instructions in this regard. The government has given its go-ahead for the Kisan Mahapanchayat but not for any other event," the official added.

Even as Congress activists claim that Section 144 was imposed Wednesday ahead of Gandhi's arrival in Aligarh, Senior Superintendent of Police Satyendra Vir Singh claimed orders under Section 144 are in place since June 12.

Asked whether Gandhi would be allowed to continue with his padyatra and informal meetings with the farmers, he said: "First let him come to Aligarh. We have already conveyed to him (Gandhi) that the permission is only for the Mahapanchayat and not for any other event."

Congress Aligarh president Girwar Sharma told reporters: "The prohibitory orders have been imposed today just to keep Rahul Gandhi away from farmers of Aligarh."

"The state government is scared of the widespread support being extended to Rahul Gandhi from different walks of life."
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Mahi