Rahul Gandhi attacks Narendra Modi on land ordinance, farmers' problems

New Delhi A combative Rahul Gandhi here on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of weakening farmers to the benefit of industrialists with the land bill ordinance mounting his second successive attack since returning from 56day leave of absenceParliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu however rubbished the Congress vicepresidents allegations reminding him that it was due to the difference in its words and deeds in the past that his party was today sitting in the oppositionA TV grab of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi speaking in the Lok Sabha in New Delhi on Monday PicPTIAttacking the Modi government on issues concerning farmers in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on agrarian situation in the country Rahul Gandhi advised Modi to visit them to empathise with them in their distress caused by loss of crops due to unseasonal rainsEarlier in the day the government tabled the repromulgated land ordinance in the house amid protests The Congress and Trinamool Congress staged a walkout over the issueCongress president Sonia Gandhi met farmers at her residence to listen to their concerns about the new land bill later in the day Sonia Gandhi who was not present in the Lok Sabha when Rahul Gandhi spoke later expressed satisfaction at his speechRahul Gandhi who took part in the discussion for the first time in the budget session spoke in the tone and tenor of a combative leader to attack the Modi government as he did at the farmers rally at Ramlila Ground here on SundayThough Rahul Gandhis party colleagues sought to shield him from repeated interruptions from Bharatiya Janata Party members he stood up and countered the barbs thrown at him with his argumentsRahul Gandhi made repeated attacks on the government saying it was hurting about 60 percent of the people who were dependent on agricultureOne thing is clear your government is ignoring problems of farmers not listening to labourers It is government of industrialists We know this you also know it Your government is of big people It is government of suitedbooted people he saidRahul Gandhi who repeatedly referred to Modi as your prime minister sought to give the Bharatiya Janata Party leader some suggestions Sixty percent people are farmers and labourers He Modi will gain politically if he changes his sideYou are hurting the farmers and in the coming times they will hurt you The biggest strength is in the hands of farmers and labourers he saidRahul Gandhi said that since Modi is good at political calculation a question that comes to mind is why is the prime minister allowing 60 percent of the population to get angryThere is only one answer The cost of land is increasing fast Your corporate friends want it What are you doing on one side farmer labourer will be weakened will not be able to stand on his feet with your policies and then you will use axe of land ordinance Rahul Gandhi saidReferring to Congressled United Progressive Alliance governments steps to benefit farmers including increase in Minimum Support Price MSP and agricultural credit Rahul Gandhi said acchedin government has failed the countryCiting figures he said Modi and his ministers have given varied estimates of crop loss due to unseasonal rainsAs Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh countered him by stating that the figures were based on information from states Rahul Gandhi said he had a suggestion for the prime ministerWhy doesnt not the PM go and see the problems Crops are lying in markets and these are not being lifted Farmers are not being given fertilizers he saidThe Congress vice president said farmers were the countrys backbone and everything else has been achieved on foundations laid by themLater speaking to reporters outside parliament he said he did not get a reply from the governmentWith two hardhitting speeches on successive days since his return the 44yearold leader appeared willing for the active role his party leaders have been wishing him to play for yearsMeanwhile the government rubbished Rahul Gandhis allegations as Parliamentary Affairs Minister and senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu said the Modi government was committed to the welfare of the poor and the farmersYour words were for the poor and deeds for the rich thats why you are there and we are here Naidu said pointing to the opposition benchesThe prime minister has made it clear that rural people and poor are our priority he saidNaidu said the Modi government has launched several schemes for the welfare of the poor and increased relief and compensation norms for the farmers whose crops have been affected