Rahul meets villagers; slams Modi, KCR for farmers’ plight

After concluding the walk, Rahul addressed a huge gathering at Wadial village where he had earlier met the family of Pashupala Laxman, a farmer who had committed suicide. Taking potshots at the NDA government and land acquisition bill, Rahul said: “We never snatched land from farmers. We always felt farmers have the right over the land they cultivate. However, the NDA government is introducing laws which will let the government take away your lands without your consent.”

“Land rates will increase in the coming years. What sells today for a few lakh will sell for a crore a few years later. Farmers and their families should get the benefits of increase in prices of their land,” he said. “I am being asked why I am suddenly so concerned about farmers. If Modi at national level and mini-Modi (referring to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhara Rao) in Telangana had been taking care of farmers, I wouldn’t have to do it,” he added.

In Koratikal, he met the family of D V Rajeshwar, a tenant farmer who committed suicide six months ago.

He consoled Rajeshwar’s widow Gangamma and gave her a cheque of Rs 2 lakh and assured her that Congress would give her all the help she needs.

Thousands of villagers and Congress workers from surrounding areas arrived to welcome Rahul Gandhi and accompanied him as he walked from Koratikal to Laxmanchanda, the second village in his route.

At Laxmanchanda, he interacted with the family of Soodi Lasunanna. As a surging crowd outside cheered, Rahul came out holding Lasunanna’s little daughter and waved to the crowd. With Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president N Uttam Kumar Reddy handling the Telugu-Hindi translation, Rahul enquired about Lasunanna’s death. Later he met the family of another farmer who killed himself, Bonla Linganna.

Rahul was mobbed everywhere by enthusiastic villagers, many breaking security cordon to meet him.

Braving the sweltering heat, farmers from nearby villages, Congress supporters and Youth Congress workers walked all the way behind Rahul, who was also followed by a convoy of more than 500 vehicles.

Highlights of the padyatra:

01.00 pm: The 15kms padayatra of Rahul Gandhi covering 5 villages concluded.

11.30 am: Thousands of villagers, including many women and Congress workers from surrounding areas arrived to welcome Rahul Gandhi and accompanied as he walked briskly from Koritical to Laxmanchanda. He was mobbed everywhere by enthusiastic villagers.

Almost 8 km covered and another 7 to go. Awesome experience and amazing response. #RGVisitsTelangana #Padyatra pic.twitter.com/VhsVI9Lsxf

— Roji M John (@rojimjohn) May 15, 2015

10.00 am: After Koritical village, Rahul Gandhi headed to Laxmanchanda.

On the way to Laxmanchanda #RGVisitsTelangana pic.twitter.com/NrZGXlHrI9

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) May 15, 2015

9.00 am: After his visit to Koritical village, Rahul Gandhi visited the family of D V Rajeshwar, a tenant farmer who committed suicide six months ago, due to debt burden. Consoling his widow, Gangamma, Rahul handed over a cheque of Rs 2 lakh. He assured her that his party leaders will help her whenever needed.

Koritikal: Rahul Gandhi handed over a cheque worth Rs. 2 lakhs to family of Rajeshwar (farmer who committed suicide) #RGVisitsTelangana

— INC India (@INCIndia) May 15, 2015

Meeting family members of affected farmers in Koratikal village pic.twitter.com/VXf8sFVP3m

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) May 15, 2015

8.00 am: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi begins padyatra in Telangana.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi begins padyatra in Telangana pic.twitter.com/f09JtAiG3f#RGVisitsTelangana

— INC India (@INCIndia) May 15, 2015

(With PTI inputs)