Bargarh: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today alleged that farmers in Odisha are being neglected by the State and Centre, and slammed the NDA and BJD government in Debahala of the district.
Addressing a public gathering, Gandhi said, "The NDA government is snatching land from farmers, who are working hard to provide us food. They do not have anything other than land."
Further, the Congress vice president added, "Congress is always with farmers and mazdoors."
Gandhi claimed that the UPA government had allotted lots money to the State which were not utilised.
Meanwhile, refuting Gandhi's allegations, BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said, "People are coming in media and visiting places temporarily. They want to show that how mush they are worried for the masses. It is hoodwinking people."
Further he stated, "Six years back in Maharashtra, Rahul Gandhi went there. Later, he presented a speech in the Parliament on the basis of which the then prime minister Manmohan Singh waived off loan of Rs 15,000 crore. Did that stop farmers' suicide?"
He added subsidy on fertilisers were lifted during the UPA government and they faced the consequence in election. "We are doing the best for farmers including Special agriculture budget and Biju Krushak Bima Yojana. Agricultural production was also increased."
Deb said, "Chit-fund issue was not raised by them in the Assembly. Instead, they raised voice against someone in the Assembly and not about farmers."
BJP did not leave behind and sent team to assess situation there. "It is a media operation and they are politicising the matter," Deb added.
Earlier, Gandhi also met family members of Sananda Kathar, the farmer who committed suicide due to burden of debt, in Debahala.
Gandhi participated in the 'Chasi Banchao Padyatra' from Debahala to Atabira. At Rengali Camp and Laderpalli, he addressed public gatherings. Th Congress leader also and met students of Atabira College.
On land acquisition, Gandhi said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to handover land of farmers to industrialists. We We will fight to protect interest of farmers."
Mounting his attack on the prime minister, the Congress leader said, "Modi is No. 1 in giving false promises, but he is far behind in keeping his words."
He added, "Modi presents 'Maan Ki Baat', but he turns deaf towards 'Mann Ki Baat' of the people of the countrty."
Gandhi arrived at the Jharsuguda airstrip on the first day of his two-day State visit.
On September 11, Gandhi will visit Sishu Bhavan in Cuttack to assess the situation of healthcare of patients.