Aam Aadmi Party to launch agitation for farmers' cause this week

NEW DELHI: After setbacks in Punjab and Goa assembly and Delhi civic elections recently, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has now set its eyes on the ‘rural’ vote. With reports of a farmers’ protest gaining ground in Maharashtra, the party has announced a nation-wide agitation onJune 10to support farmers’ rights after a late evening meeting of its national executiveon Sunday.

The agitation will be organised by state units in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, who will demand a debt waiver. With Maharashtra agitation, supported by Shiv Sena gaining momentum even in BJP bastions such a Nasik and Aurangabad, AAP insiders said it was trying to re-draw its political strategy and strengthen its support base.

The agitation will be in line with the ‘response’ the party received from farmers’ agitations in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, a party functionary said. “There is a lot of discontentment among farmers as the central and state governments have failed to address the crisis of debt,” said a party functionary. While the Madhya Pradesh unit has been addressing agrarian issues by visiting each district, the Gujarat unit had supported a farmers’ protest in Sanand over water for irrigation in March.

“When the Centre can allow waiving off loans for corporates and industrialists, why can it not waive of loans given to farmers,” he asked. “There have been nearly 60 farmer deaths since the new government took charge. Clearly, there is something grossly wrong and needs to be addressed,” he added.

Apart from demanding a loan waiver, the party is expected to push for implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee.

Fund crunch may hit Gujarat plan
NEW DELHI: The AAP that intends to contest Gujarat polls is facing a fund crunch and dwindling volunteer strength, with BJP and Congress rallying forces for December assembly polls. Even as a 15-member delegation is expected to meet party leadership on Tuesdayto discuss the ‘viability’ of contesting the polls against the BJP, party insiders said AAP may contest only a select few seats in the 182-member assembly.