Rahul Gandhi begins UP campaign with 'Kisan Yatra' from Rudrapur

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today launched his poll-campaign for the much important 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls with a 2,500 km-long 'Kisan Yatra' from agriculture-dominated Rudrapur belt of the state.

The 'Deoria to Dilli yatra', which started from Panchlari Kritpura village, was marked by a door-to-door campaign of collecting 'Kisan Mangpatras' (charters of farmers demands), one-to-one interaction with farmers through Khaat (cot) Sabhas, a concept similar to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Chai par Charcha' during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, and roadside meetings.

"Door to door campaign begins from vill Pachladi. Met farmers, &collected Kisan Maang Patras outlining their demands," Gandhi's office said in a tweet.

"Kisan Maang Patras being signed in Rudrapur," he added.

Trailed by the SPG, the Congress vice-president landed in Panchlari village by a chopper and began moving into rural households.

Rahul Gandhi had earlier said his mahayatra is a campaign to help secure rights of the poor, farmers and labourers in government resources.

"My Yatra from Deoria to Delhi starting September 6 - is a campaign to secure the rights of the poor, farmers and labourers in government resources," Gandhi had said on twitter.