Pro-farmer push ahead of states' polls

The PM will address 'farmers' rallies' in Bhopal on Feb 18, Bargarh in Odisha on Feb 21, Karnataka on Feb 27 and Uttar Pradesh on February 28

In the government’s continued push to showcase its farmer-friendly face, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address four farmer meetings across India by February 28.

All ministers and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of Parliament will also reach out to people to popularise the recently launched crop insurance scheme by the Centre.

The PM’s public meetings will culminate a day before the presentation of the Budget by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, on February 29. According to sources in the government, the Budget is likely to increase allocations for schemes for rural areas, including for the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Rural Guarantee Act.

The focus on rural areas is important as five states will see Assembly polls soon — Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Assam. The BJP is looking at long-term prospects in these states, but also wants to consolidate position in agrarian states of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab where elections are due by early 2017.

The PM will address farmers’ rallies in Bhopal on February 18, Bargarh in Odisha on February 21, Karnataka on February 27 and Uttar Pradesh on February 28. BJP President Amit Shah will start touring UP from February 24. On January 27, the PM took stock of the performance of agriculture ministry at a meeting of members of his ministerial council.