Congress MLA Indira Meena on Wednesday created quite the furore after reaching the Rajasthan Assembly atop a tractor. According to the lawmaker, it was a move intended "to show support for farmers".
Since November 2020, thousands of farmers remain gathered at Delhi's borders protesting against three contentious farm laws. While there have been multiple rounds of talks held with the Centre, there has been no consensus reached. With the farmers insistently calling for the laws to be repealed, it remains unclear when the deadlock will be resolved.
Several political parties including the Congress have lent their support to the farmers' agitation. With the party in power in the state of Rajasthan, it has also passed Bills to negate the effects of the Centre's farm laws.
Visuals shared by news agency ANI show Meena driving the slowly moving tractor as several other individuals cheer from the vehicle.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is slated to visit the state to address farmer rallies on Friday - a move that that invoked the wrath of the Opposition BJP.
In the meantime, the party also hopes to strengthen its political base in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. According to reports, the party feels that in the western districts of Uttar Pradesh by coming out in favour of the farmer protests, it is preparing the political ground for the upcoming panchayat (civic) polls and Assembly elections.
In order to support the farmers in their protest, the Congress's own 'anti-farm laws' movement is going to kick-off from Wednesday. The party's National General Secretary and Uttar Pradesh party in-charge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, will embark on a four-day programme in the state.
(With inputs from agencies)