Rahul Gandhi to lead 'Kisan Padyatra' today in UP's Saharanpur

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will interact with the sugarcane farmers and take part in a march to highlight their problems in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district today.

During the 'Kisan Padyatra', Rahul will interact with farmers of Hardakhedi, Sikrikalan and Patni villages and listen to their woes.

Preparation for the Padyatra is underway in full swing in Saharanpur, with posters and banners welcoming Rahul being put up at major roads and crossings in the town.

Congress committee chief from Saharanpur, Sashi Walia, said that the sugarcane farmers in the region are leading a difficult life due to the closure of mills in recent times.

"Rahul Gandhi will begin a foot march today at 10.30. He will directly interact with the farmers during this event. Sugarcane farmers are in pathetic condition, the mills are closed and they are jobless. Crores of rupees of Sugarcane farmers are due to them," Walia told ANI.

JD (U) leader Ali Anwar said that it is good that farmer problems are getting attention.

"Farmers are leading a difficult life. The more attention they get, the more their problems are covered by the media, the better it is," he told ANI.

The march is scheduled to be held in Nakur Assembly constituency, which houses some defunct sugar mills that have now been privatised.