Rahul begins 'Kisan padyatra' in Telangana

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Friday began 'padyatra' in Adilabad district of Telangana to console families of farmers who committed suicide.

Rahul, who arrived here on Thursday night after landing at Nanded in neighbouring Maharashtra, launched his walkathon on Friday morning from Koratikal village, about four km from here.

The Congress leader visited the house of Velma Rajeshwar, a farmer who committed suicide due to huge losses on May 2.

He met the wife and children of the farmer and consoled them.

As the family members spoke in Telugu, Uttam Kumar Reddy, president of Congress party's Telangana unit, helped Rahul in understanding the problems faced by them.

The Congress leader also provided financial assistance of Rs.1 lakh to the family.

Accompanied by hundreds of leaders and workers, Rahul then left for Laxmanchanda village to meet families of two farmers who committed suicide.

He will cover five villages in his 12 km padyatra. He will also interact with the farmers and visit few fields.

The Congress vice-president is scheduled to address a meeting at Wadial, the last point of the padyatra.

Rahul, who was scheduled to land in Hyderabad and proceed to Nirmal, changed his schedule in the last minute.

He arrived in Nanded around 7 p.m. on Thursday and left for Nirmal by road. He reached the town around 10 p.m.

The Congress mobilised hundreds of party workers for padyatra from across the state. At least 200 workers from each of 119 assembly constituencies are participating in the walkathon.

This is Rahul's first visit to Telangana after its formation as a separate state.