Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his planned visit to Dantewada region of the State on Saturday, State Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel on Friday lashed out at the Centre stating that Modi Government had harmed farmer’s interest in Chhattisgarh. “The bonus for paddy was not distributed and also the minimum support price (MSP) was not increased,” he said, while addressing a Press conference here at party’s State headquarters, Congress Bhawan. “Congress workers will stage a dharna across district headquarters on Saturday in protest against Modi’s visit to Chhattisgarh. Congress workers wearing black bands as mark of protest will stage dharna from 12 pm to 3 pm in a peaceful manner,” Baghel told reporters.
“BJP in a bid to draw a massive crowd at the public meeting site in Dantewada has opted for disbursement of tendupatta bonus,” Baghel alleged and added, “Sarpanchs/ tehsildars have been directed to bring people to the public meeting site by utilising funds meant for development.” Raising issues like botched up sterilisation operations in which several women lost their lives; farmers’ plight due to limited paddy procurement and non-payment of bonus, he said that the Central Government was never seen empathising with the issues of Chhattisgarh. “There seems no reason to welcome him in State. Even business houses are not doing well in State as the market scenario is grim due to low spending power of farmers and labourers in Chhattisgarh,” Baghel said.