Rahul Gandhi leaves for violence-hit Mandsaur
June 08, 2017  08:30
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Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has left for Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur to meet family of those killed during farmers' agitation.

Earlier, he was disallowed by the Madhya Pradesh government to visit the region and it is unlikely that the administration will allow him to proceed to the troubled area.

The Congress accused the Bharatiya Janata Party for 'acting as a curse of death for Indian farmers' and slammed it for stopping Gandhi from meeting the families of the victims.

The BJP, however, alleged a 'conspiracy' behind the agitation, and asked the Congress vice president to refrain from 'politicising the death of farmers' in the state.

At least five persons have been killed in the violence during the protest.

The farmers have been protesting since June 1 demanding higher minimum support prices (MSP) for their produce and loan waiver among other things.

"Farmers of Madhya Pradesh are peace-loving. They do not indulge in violent activities. There is a conspiracy behind this entire incident.

"Those who do not want peace and prosperity in the state and can not see the BJP government functioning smoothly are behind this incident," Rural Development Minister Narender Singh Tomar said.

Tomar, who represents Gwalior seat in Lok Sabha, said farmers in Madhya Pradesh are the most prosperous in the country.

Replying to a question on Rahul Gandhi's scheduled visit to the protest site, the minister said he should not 'politicise' the death of farmers.

Naidu also hit out at the Congress for 'hijacking' the protest in Mandsaur. -- Agencies
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