BHUBANESHWAR: In a bid to strengthen the party in Odisha, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi is slated to lead a "save farmers march" in Bargarh district during his two-day visit to state starting on September 10.
"Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to embark upon a two-day visit to Odisha on September 10 and 11 for which a series of programmes have been lined up," Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Prasad Harichandan said today.
In view of the suicide of several farmers in western Odisha recently due to alleged debt-burden, Gandhi would lead an agitation aimed at saving the distressed farmers in the region and would meet the families of those farmers who have recently committed suicide on the first day of his Odisha visit on September 10, the PCC chief said.
"Rahulji will also lead a Chasi Banchao Padyatra the same day in Bargarh district, which is witnessing farmer suicides. He will interact with tribal and women farmers and listen to their problems during the 7 km march," he said.
In view of the drought like situation, mainly in western Odisha where farmers were committing suicide due to crop loss and debt burden, the 'save farmer march' was being held to emphasise the urgent need to save the distressed peasants, Harichandan said.
The march would also highlight the failure of the BJD government in the state and BJP-led NDA rule at the Centre in bringing succour to the farmers, he said.
On the second day of his visit on September 11, Rahul was scheduled to visit Sishu Bhavan at Cuttack where a large number of infants died recently due to alleged negligence in treatment and inadequacies in infrastructure at the premier referral hospital, the OPCC chief said adding, he was slated to attend a meeting of state party leaders, besides taking part in a workshop on social justice.
Rahul was also scheduled to meet people who have been directly affected by the multi-crore chitfund scam as they have lost their investments in various ponzi companies, he said.
Stating that Congress workers were enthusiastic ahead of Gandhi's visit, Harichandan said the visit was expected to play a significant role in rejuvenating the party in Odisha.