I/II. http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-to-lead-protest-against-pm-modi-s-land-bill/article1-1338778.aspx
Live: Will fight the war for farmers, says Rahul Gandhi as he leads protest against PM Modi's land bill HT Correspondent and Agencies, New Delhi| Updated: Apr 19, 2015 12:35 IST Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi at the Ramlila Maidan. (Raj K Raj/ HT Photo) Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said scared farmers thought the government had forgotten them and was only working for the rich after he and party chief Sonia Gandhi arrived at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi to lead thousands of farmers on Sunday in a protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's controversial plans to overhaul land purchasing laws. "We will fight the war for farmers," the Congress vice-president told the gathering. Earlier, former prime minister Manmohan Singh said: "I welcome you all, thank you for coming in such large numbers and encouraging us." "Congress has always worked for the farmers, with the farmers," Singh added. "During poll campaigning, Modi ji used to go around saying they will work for farmers but nothing of that sort happened... Today, we have collected here to oppose anti-farmer policies of the Modi government," the former prime minister said, taking on PM Modi. Congress spokesperson Digvijaya Singh later spoke to the crowd as those present chanted "Rahul, Rahul". Sonia Gandhi has already led several protests tapping into the growing anger against the bill. The Congress has pulled out all the stops to galvanise support in New Delhi for the mass protest, which is being seen as a springboard for the 44-year-old Gandhi to relaunch himself as a strong party leader. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/popup/2015/4/rg1.jpg Rahul Gandhi meeting farmers on Saturday. (Ajay Aggarwal/ HT Photo) But his decision in February to go on a two-month sabbatical from politics sparked widespread criticism about his lacklustre leadership and speculation about his future. The new legislation would make it easier to acquire land for crucial infrastructure projects as part of Modi's pledges to revive the economy after storming to power last May -- but rivals say the move will hurt millions of farmers. The proposed bill exempts projects related to defence, rural housing and power, along with industrial corridors, from the requirement that 80% of the affected landowners must agree to a sale. It also does away with the need for a "social impact assessment" to find out how many people would be affected by the loss of land. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/popup/2015/4/Raj-k-Raj_04.jpg Supporters of the Congress party at the Ramlila Maidan. (Raj K Raj/ HT Photo) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) says these rules are restrictive and deter the investment needed to fuel India's growth. Rahul Gandhi -- along with the Congress chief and senior party members -- will address more than 100,000 farmers from across the country at the rally just a day before the reopening of Parliament, when the government is expected to reintroduce its bill. "(The) rally would be a historic rally... we want to expose this BJP government for the way farmers have been duped," Sachin Pilot, a Congress member, said on Saturday. Rahul Gandhi met with farmer groups at his bungalow ahead of Sunday's protest, making his first public appearance on Saturday since returning last week on Thursday. He discussed the impact the new law will have on the farmers, many of whom have seen their crops devastated by unseasonal rains this year. His party, however, ran into a controversy amid reports it was offering free liquor to drum up support for a Delhi rally. Interacting with farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab at his 12 Tughlak Lane residence ahead of Sunday's public meeting at the Capital's Ramlila Ground, Gandhi told them the "pain, suffering and anguish of the entire farming community are closest to my heart". To ensure the anti-land law rally's success, Congress sources in Punjab said all sitting party MLAs and candidates who lost last year's polls were asked by the party's state in-charge, Shakeel Ahmad, to bring two buses packed with supporters from each constituency. "We are not promising any money to those going for the rally. But we have provided for two boxes of liquor per bus," said a Congress leader who did not wish to be named. An official Congress spokesperson, however, said the party had no knowledge of such activity. The government has defended the changes as a catalyst for growth -- from building new cities and factories to more roads and industrial corridors. But its attempts so far to push the Land Acquisition Bill through Parliament have been stonewalled by a united Opposition, which controls the Upper House. While the government has issued a temporary order making it easier to buy land for projects, the changes need approval in the parliamentary session starting Monday to be made permanent. II. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Rahul-Gandhi-to-address-kisan-rally-against-NDA's-land-bill/liveblog/46974732.cms Back after a 57-day sabbatical, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi along with party president Sonia Gandhi address a kisan rally over the land acquisition bill and against the Modi govt's anti-farmer policies. Stay with us for live updates. Live Updates 7 mins ago BJP govt has made provision for compulsory acquisitions of land 1 km on both sides for industrial corridors: Sonia Gandhi 9 mins ago There is no provision of return of unused land in the new ordinance. Our Act had a time limit of 5 years: Sonia Gandhi 13 mins ago States under UPA would give bonus to farmers in addition to the MSP: Sonia Gandhi 13 mins ago 13 mins ago We want to tell the Modi sarkar that farmers and labourers have understood their hollow claims: Sonia Gandhi 14 mins ago We want to tell the PM and his govt that enough is enough: Sonia Gandhi 15 mins ago Watch: Rahul Gandhi addresses Kisan Rally at Ramlila Maidan 15 mins ago I know this is harvest season. Despite that, you have come in large numbers. I thank you for this: Sonia Gandhi 16 mins ago Sonia Gandhi addressing the kisan rally now 18 mins ago We don't want our farmers to become labourers and servants: Rahul Gandhi 19 mins ago They will snatch your land, and you won't even get jobs: Rahul Gandhi 19 mins ago BJP has finished the provisions of consent clause, social assessment, return of used land: Rahul Gandhi 20 mins ago In Gujarat model, Modi ji showed us that he can snatch land from farmers very easily: Rahul Gandhi 21 mins ago You have to teach your children, your land will be useful only if you get adequate compensation: Rahul Gandhi 24 mins ago Modi govt does not want farmers to be self-reliant. Modi wants to replicate Gujarat model across India: Rahul Gandhi 24 mins ago In Gujarat Model, Modi ji showed us that he can snatch land from farmers very easily: Rahul Gandhi 25 mins ago Modi ji wants to give your land to industrialist friends from which he has taken loans for his huge campaign Rahul Gandhi 25 mins ago Modi took loans from the industrialists and to pay them back he will give them your land Rahul Gandhi 25 mins ago You should understand one thing, the land is yours, you treat it as your 'Maa',the price of it will increase more than gold in coming years: Rahul Gandhi 25 mins ago Land will be costlier than gold in next 5 years: Rahul Gandhi 26 mins ago Talking about cleaning "kachra" of the nation doesn't befit the PM Rahul Gandhi 28 mins ago The MSP has not changed, no benefit to farmers: Rahul Gandhi 28 mins ago They have reduced the budget of Rashtriya Krishi Vikaas Yojana by 50% : Rahul Gandhi 29 mins ago Insulting the nation abroad doesnt become the dignity of the position of a Prime Minister Rahul Gandhi 29 mins ago Instead of passing it through Parliament, why did BJP bring in ordinance: Rahul Gandhi 30 mins ago It took 2 years to make this Land Bill of 2013. The BJP supported and applauded the Bill then.Then what changed? Rahul Gandhi 31 mins ago The words Modi ji spoke do not do justice to the post of PM or Modi ji himself: Rahul Gandhi 31 mins ago Modi ji doesn't know the real strength of the nation: Rahul Gandhi 32 mins ago Watch: Rahul, Sonia Gandhi arrive at Ramlila Maidan 32 mins ago Modi ji went to foreign countries, he said he is wiping the garbage of 50 years. I felt very sad on this: Rahul Gandhi 34 mins ago Next time when they came if you give our land, then those 400 people which you met will become Naxalites: Rahul Gandhi 34 mins ago Opposition asked us where will the money come for your loan waiver. Our govt waived Rs 70,000 crore of farmer loans Rahul Gandhi 35 mins ago We increased the MSP of wheat from Rs 540 to Rs 1400: Rahul Gandhi 35 mins ago When I went to Vidarbha, I saw the insecticide bottle by which he committed suicide. Manmohan Singh sent a package for help Rahul Gandhi 35 mins ago Today when the farmer sleeps he is scared that his land will be snatched: Rahul Gandhi 35 mins ago Today when farmers go to sleep, they dont know what is going to happen when they wake up the next morning: Rahul Gandhi 36 mins ago Farmers strengthen the nation, before the IT and the industrialists, they fed the nation: Rahul Gandhi 39 mins ago Farmers think that the govt has forgotten them. They are scared. They think the govt only works for the rich: Rahul Gandhi 40 mins ago Today in India, farmers and workers are afraid Rahul Gandhi, Cong leader 41 mins ago Rahul Gandhi starts his speech at Kisan Rally Snipped -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. 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