D-day today: all eyes on Congress move
Friday, 02/09/2011
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HC/2011/09/02/ArticleHtmls/D-day-today-all-eyes-on-Congress-move-02092011002009.shtml?Mode=1
Most villagers at Gobindpura have resolved to support state Congress president captain Amrinder Singh in his party's battle against forcible acquisition of land for Poena's thermal-energy project.
On Friday, the captain plans to march into Mansa district and sustain the protest until the government accepts the farmers' demands. The villagers of Gobindpura have charged the Punjab government with employing unfair means for acquisition and rebuffed the claims of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal that 90% farmers had consented to sell off their land.
“We'll join the captain's rally,“ said farmer Moni Singh of Gobindpura village. “Anyone in the battle to save our land is welcome at our village. Farmers are outside politics but no short of support.“
The Congress has pushed even its legislators, district party presidents, and office-bearers into planning the agitation, for it hopes to cash the fallout in the coming state elections. Outrage against forcible acquisition and police atrocities on farmers has given the party enough ammunition to pound the state government.
Captain Amarinder Singh takes pride in having given the Shiromani Akal Dal (Badal) tough fight in its stronghold, the Malwa region, in the last elections. The Congressmen expects him to return with a bang.
“This campaign will be a game changer in Punjab politics,“ said Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, Congress MLA from Sardulgarh. “After this rally, the Congress will emerge stronger and ready to rout the corrupt Akali regime in the coming elections.“
“The Congressmen will support the farmers, no matter how much force is tried against us,“ said Mangat Rai Bansal, legislator from Budhaldha. He has assured farmers of fight to conclusion.
Since October last year, farmers of Gobindpura are in protest against forcible acquisition of land for the thermal-electricity project of Poens, a subsidiary of private company Indiabulls.
“We'll welcome all who support farmers,“ said Darshan Singh Gurnekalan, finance secretary of the Bharti Kisan Union (Dkaunda).
“Agricultural trade unions, however, will wait until September 13, when the Punjab CM has agreed to resolve the matter and cancel the notification for acquiring 166 acres at Gobindpur,“ the leader added.
