Congress has no right to speak about farmers: Gujarat CM

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today accused the Congress of inciting farmers against the BJP-led state government and said the opposition has no right to speak about farmers' welfare, as the party did nothing for them.
Patel was addressing a farmers' rally organised by the state BJP in Dhasa village of Botad district today, where she recounted several pro-farmer schemes floated by her government.
"Congress doesn't have a right to speak about the welfare of farmers. Congress always took anti-farmer decisions when they were in power at the Centre. They conspired in inciting farmers against BJP by not granting permission to raise the height of the Narmada dam," a party release quoted Patel as saying.

"It was (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi who gave permission to raise the height of the dam. At present, work is going on in full swing to install the gates. It was BJP government which took several steps for overall development of farmers," she added.
In his speech, newly-elected state BJP president Vijay Rupani told farmers that the state government has launched a scheme, wherein farmers would get loans up to Rs 3 lakh for just one per cent interest.
"Congress only sheds crocodile tears in the name of farmers. As against 210 electricity sub-stations for rural areas built in the Congress regime of 35 years, BJP government built 685 in 20 years. Congress government gave electricity connections to 2.65 lakh farmers, while we gave 7.07 lakh connections," Rupani said.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture Mohan Kundariya, national general secretary of Kisan Morcha Gordhan Zadaphia and national general secretary of BJP Parshottam Rupala and others were present on the occasion.

This was the fourth 'Virat Khedut Rally' organised by state BJP this month as part of its exercise to reach out to farmers and rural voters ahead of the 2017 Assembly polls.
Earlier this month, such rallies were organised in Kutch, Lunavada in central Gujarat and Gandhinagar.
Remaining rallies will be held in Vadodara (March 26), South Gujarat (March 27) and in Patan and Banaskantha (March 28), the release said.