Thaindian News

Shabota (Uttar Pradesh), July 6 (IANS) For the first time after starting a campaign against the government’s land takeover, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Wednesday attacked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati by name.

Addressing people in a temple complex in this village in Gautam Budh Nagar district, Gandhi said Mayawati was trying to hush up the victims of her land acquisition policy that has sparked mass protests.

“Mayawati declared a new compensation policy but has she ever implemented the existing one?” Gandhi asked the 200-strong crowd that included both men and women.

“Justice has not been done to farmers whose land has been acquired.”

The Congress general secretary reached this village shortly after 7 a.m., after trekking three-four kilometres from another village where he spent the night.

Gandhi has been on a ‘padayatra’ since Tuesday morning protesting against the takeover of farmers’ land by the government.

Until he reached Shabota village, about 85 km from Delhi’s border, Gandhi had avoided attacking Mayawati by name.

In response to questions from villagers, Gandhi, who was seated on a chair while most people squatted on the ground, said that he was a witness to the plight of farmers whose land had been forcibly acquired.

“Their ancestral land was grabbed by the government without any notice,” he said, adding that the administration had not given the farmers “fair rates” for the land.

He went on: “Till now, I have not seen any farmer saying he will not give land for development, for school or hospitals. All they want is justice.”

Sensing the mood of the gathering, Gandhi said: “We have to pressure Mayawati… Mayawati’s injustice has to end.”