Ahead of Rahul's likely visit, Punjab Congress goes into a huddle

Senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa has said the Punjab leadership of the party will be meeting at Captain Amarinder Singh's residence today to chalk out vice president Rahul Gandhi's schedule for his visit next month.

"In 15-20 days, there is a plan of Rahulji's visit to Punjab. There will be a meeting of Punjab senior leadership at the official residence of Captain Amarinder Singh today to chalk out details of Rahulji's programme as we have to cover largest sections of the people, including farmers, shopkeepers, businessmen, Dalits, women, retired employees, employees. So, he will have an interaction with a larger section of society," Bajwa told ANI.

"Besides, we will also discuss issues to be covered in our manifesto so that he (Rahul Gandhi) gets a rousing welcome. The Congress is already in strong position in the state, and his visit will further strengthen it and take the party towards a landslide victory. I believe that the revival of the Congress party will start from Punjab," he added.

On October 6, Rahul Gandhi culminated his 26-day 'Kisan Yatra' across poll-bound Uttar Pradesh at the Parliament Street here.

Gandhi travelled 3,438 km, covering 48 districts and 141 assembly constituencies during his yatra that started from Deoria in Gorakhpur division on September 6.

He also held 26 'khat sabhas' and interacted with farmers, 26 road shows and collected 75 lakh application forms from farmers seeking loan waivers.

Bajwa said, "The ground reality is that Punjabis across the world want a government that restores the state's glory through a robust economy and gives happiness to the people, which only the Congress can do. People trust and believe in the Congress Party and our past record of governance is very good as well. Above all, the people of the state want to bring the Congress back to power."

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been distributing forms and declaring that it will waive off the loans of farmers should it come to power in the state.

Last month, Kejriwal released the party's 31-point farmers manifesto, promising several benefits, which included the loan waive off scheme.

He promised to implement the 'Sir Chotu Ram Act' in the state and put an end to farmers suicides by December 2018.

Beside this, he also promised a proper price for crops, making up for crop loss and free medical facilities to farmers etc.

Kejriwal also announced to raise the old age pension from Rs.500 to Rs.2000 per month and payment of Rs.20000 per acre compensation for the damage of crops due to drought, floods, pest attack and unseasonal rains.