Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi who attacked PM Narendra Modi’s foreign tour yesterday(Wednesday) by asking him to visit the poor farmers in the state of Punjab, has begun his padyatra on Thursday. This comes as a result of Congress’ protest against the Modi government’s Land Acquisition Amendment Bill. The 15 kilometers padyatra began from Gunji village in Amravati district which in the past has seen the most number of suicides by the farmers. As part of the yatra, the Gandhi scion will visit the Gunji Village, Dhamangaon railway tehsil, Rajana village and Tonglabad Village. During this yatra, he will interact will the farmers and the families of those who committed suicide due to failure of crop. Yesterday, Rahul raised questions on the condition of the farmers. Also, he jibed at PM’s foreign tour as he said that Modi is now on India tour and that he should go to Punjab and visit the Mandis to see the situation of the farmers. In the Lok Sabha, Rahul attacked the Modi-led central government as he said, "The farmers of Vidarbha are suffering, that's why I am here. The Modi government only worries about corporates and ignores plight of farmers. It is your government, it is our government, but it is not the government of farmers and labourers." This is the second public gathering which will be addressed by Rahul ever since he returned from his 56-day long sabbatical. On April 21, he addressed Kisan Khet Mazdoor rally against the Land Acquisition Amendment Bill. Hitting on Rahul, the BJP has called this padyatra as a 'distress tourism'. However, Congress MP Ashok Chavan came in support of Rahul as he said, "This is not distress tourism. This is a serious issue. The number of farmer suicides in this country has increased. Congress took several steps when in power."
