CPI-M-led LDF stages farmers rally in Wayanad

Taking on the Congress in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency from where its party chief Rahul Gandhi is contesting, the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF Friday organised a farmers rally highlighting their "sorry plight" since the economic liberalisation of 1991.

Holding placards and banners, the Left Democratic Front workers took out a march at Pulpally town in the high rangeconstituency protesting the "continuing anti-farmer approach" of the Congressand the BJP.

All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) national president Ashok Dhawale and other leaders participated in the march.

The banners listed the farmers' suicides and their "sorry plight" since the 1991 economic liberalisation.

Dhawale, who had led the farmers in the historic Mumbai protest, said it was only the Left Front that can protect the rights of the farmers.

"The agrarian reforms and the economic policy of the Congress has affected the farmers. The BJP is just following the policy of Congress," he said.

The Left farmers group also organised a 'farmers parliament'.

"The neo-liberalisation policy of the Congress in 1991 destroyed the dreams of the farmers. Over thousands of farmers have committed suicide during the Modi regime," a release issued by AIKS said.

Besides Amethi, Gandhi is contesting a second seat, Wayanad, where he had filed his papers on April 4.

The congress president filed his nomination papers for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat on Wednesday.