Complex problems call for innovative solutions and a Haryana Congress leader has come up with a unique solution to reignite the farmers’ protests and simultaneously also revive the party’s fortunes. In a major loss of face for the Indian National Congress, Haryana Congress leader Vidya Devi told party workers to donate liquor and money to rejuvenate the farmers’ protests.
“One should donate money, vegetables, ghee and liquor to further the farmers’ protests,” said Vidya Devi while addressing a district executive committee meeting in Jind which was attended by Congress MLA from Safidon, Subhash Gangoli and other senior party leaders.
Devi added, “The protests attract every type of people who require different types of amenities. Cannot we give liquor to the sick. We have to strengthen the andolan (agitation) in a different way.”
She made no secret of her plans to revive the Congress’ fortunes by reigniting the farmers’ protests. “We will organise a padayatra in Jind district that will attract large crowds and will give a new direction and lease of life to the Congress. We lost our existence after losing the elections. The andolan was revived as the farmers have a strong will. Now, we have to run it,” said Devi.
Sensing that Devi’s statements can further discredit the farmers’ protests, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said, “such people don’t have anything to do with the movement”.
Tikait stated, “What is the use of liquor here? I don’t know why she’s making such comments. Such people don’t have anything to do with the movement. It’s wrong and shouldn’t be done. They can distribute whatever they want to, at their movement.”
While Haryana Congress was quick to distance itself from Devi’s statements, BJP grabbed the opportunity to hit out at the Indian National Congress.
Haryana BJP leader Jawahar Yadav said, “It is shameful that Congress is looking the ongoing farmer’s protest as an opportunity to make political gains. The Prime Minister has very rightly observed that Opposition parties like Congress were trying to misguide the farmers and are using them as vote bank and a political tool.”
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri while slamming the INC tweeted, “Is this what it has come down to? A damning video that exposes what the farmers’ protests actually mean for the Congress party. Utterly Shameful.”
It is disastrous fall from grace for the Grand Old Party as after being consistently rejected by voters, its leaders are trying to revive the fortunes of the party by distributing alcohol among the protesting farmers’ and subsequently piggyback on the protests.
