Kansera (Uttar Pradesh), July 7 (IANS) Stepping up his attack on the Mayawati government over its land acquistion policy, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Thursday alleged that "dalals" (brokers) were running the state.
"You are not together, that is why dalals (brokers) are running the state," Gandhi said, addressing people in Kansera village on the third day of his padayatra (march) to Aligarh.
"You may not like it, but this is true. Since you are not together, that is why this is happening here. Unless you unite, you will continue to suffer. Unless you don't understand what is happening, the train will not come on its track," he said.
Addressing a series of village panchayats, Gandhi said the Supreme Court's judgment quashing land acquisition in Greater Noida had completely exposed the Mayawati government's claims of transparency and legality in land acquisitions.
Gandhi's 'kisaan sandesh yatra', which is scheduled to culminate in 'Kisan mahapanchayat' (farmers' rally) in Aligarh Saturday, touched Kirpalpur, Jahangarh and Kansera villages Thursday.
"I started my padayatra from Bhatta-Parsaul, which saw the operation by the Mayawati government on farmers, in which many people were killed. I wanted to meet you personally and hear your problems," he told the farmers.
Gandhi embarked on the unannounced march Tuesday from Bhatta-Parsaul villages, about about 60 km from Delhi, which were the epicentre of agitation by farmers for higher compensation of land in May.
Addressing villagers, Gandhi said the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) government in the state was trying to mislead the farmers.
"A little pressure exerted on the state government forced them to announce a new land acquisition policy. The policy has been brought in but the people have not been told if the policy will benefit them or not. You have suffered a loss, do not forget about this," he said.
Gandhi said the landless daily wage labourers suffer loss of their livelihood when lands of farmers are acquired.
"Your fight is our fight. Normally, governments elected by people are run for the poor. But the Uttar Pradesh government is running for the benefit of big builders."
"We are also not against development. Roads should be made. Development is need of the hour. Villages should be linked to cities. But the question is how this will be done," he said.
Congress leaders are not accompanying the Gandhi during his padyatra. Party workers will converge at Aligarh Saturday for the rally.
However, Gandhi faced a security scare when a young man, Hari Krishna Sharma, carrying a revolver was detained while trying to move close to him on his way to Jahangarh village from Kirpalpur.
Sharma was handed over by the Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel accompanying Gandhi to the Uttar Pradesh Police. Officials said he was later released on bail as he had a licenced revolver.