RAIPUR: A day after his return to Chhattisgarh from Delhi, Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (J) supremo Ajit Jogi announced the launch of a week-long 'Khet Chalo Abhiyan' from July 23 to woo farmers ahead of the Assembly polls due later this year.
Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Jogi was away in Delhi for 52 days, recovering from a serious ailment after he was diagnosed suffering from pulmonary edema (collection of water in the lungs).
Apparently buoyed by the election symbol, "Farmer ploughing within square", allotted to his regional outfit, which Jogi floated in June 2016, the party workers would be reaching out to farmers. During this campaign, every farmer would be given a badge displaying the party's name and symbol.
Jogi quit the Congress in June 2016 and floated 'Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (J)', which had its much-awaited symbol allotted by the Election Commission of India on July 16.
"At least ten party cadres will visit agriculture farms daily and actively perform shramdaan (voluntary contribution of labour) for an hour, assisting the farmer in tilling, sowing, weeding, mixing soils and related activities before moving on to another field. Party leaders and workers will offer shramdaan for four hours daily till July 29", Jogi said.
In Chhattisgarh, with nearly 77 per cent rural population, agriculture remains the prime economic activity and source of income.
The 72-year-old bureaucrat-turned-politician has also declared that he was keen to contest against Chief Minister Raman Singh.
Jogi promised that if voted to power in Chhattisgarh, his government, on the first day, will waive all farmers' loans, offer Rs 2,500 per quintal minimum support price to paddy farmers, give preference to locals for employment in the government sector, impose a liquor ban, barring in the tribal belts, and offer relief to traders on state GST.