Farmer suicides: Rahul Gandhi likely to visit Telangana next month

HYDERABAD: Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Telangana next month to meet families of farmers who allegedly committed suicide, a senior party leader from the state said today.

Gandhi's visit is likely to take place either in the second or third week of May, Telangana Congress Committee Working President Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka told here.

He said the 44-year-old Amethi MP would console the families of farmers who allegedly ended their lives apparently due to agrarian distress.

Vikramarka also said there is a possibility of Gandhi undertaking a 'padayatra' (foot march) during the visit.

Gandhi, who was absent in the first half of the Budget session owing to his 56-day leave, has been raising issues related to farmers and youths since he resumed party work.

He is visiting Punjab today to take stock of the situation in the state's grain markets where farmers were allegedly finding it difficult to sell their produce after the recent unseasonal rains.

The Opposition Congress, TDP and BJP allege that hundreds of farmers have committed suicide in Telangana since the TRS government assumed office in June last year, a charge denied by the state administration.