Rahul gandhi likely to visit protesting up farmers

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi is likely to undertake a visit to Uttar Pradesh villages which saw violent protests by farmers over land acquisition, a move that could once again unnerve the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi is likely to undertake a visit to Uttar Pradesh villages which saw violent protests by farmers over land acquisition, a move that could once again unnerve the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

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The visit has been kept under wraps as Gandhi's aides did not confirm any such move but sources said the Amethi MP is likely to tour the affected areas, including Greater Noida, and interact with farmers and villagers on Wednesday.

A Youth Congress rally at Agra on Wednesday also fuelled speculation that Gandhi might visit these villages. The rally coincides with the launching of Youth Congress membership drive in western Uttar Pradesh from the city of Taj.

The ongoing farmers' agitation has given the Congress a fresh handle to attack UP chief minister and BSP supreme Mayawati. The party has compared the situation in Greater Noida and western UP with Singur and Nandigram in West Bengal.

The stir has yet again thrown open a window of opportunity for the Congress to strengthen its position in Uttar Pradesh, which goes to polls in 2012.

When the farmers' agitation erupted in August last year, Gandhi was quick to grab that opportunity. He paid an unannounced visit to Tappal village in Aligarh district, where the farmers had been protesting for many weeks demanding higher compensation for the land acquired by the Mayawati government for its Yamuna expressway project.