NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi said the opposition conspiracy to stall land acquisition amendment bill
would not succeed and the Centre would promulgate the law, setting a
stiff target for the government which has all but given up on the issue
in the winter session of Parliament.
The Congress heir-apparent, on his tour of Balrampur and Siddharthnagar, promised action on the land bill fashioned to secure better compensation for farmers whose land is acquired. He had earlier told the Phulpur rally which launched the party campaign that Centre would bring the legislation in the winter session while accusing "some political parties" of working behind the curtains to block it.
The promise has triggered urgency and helplessness among government managers who feel it is unlikely in the ongoing session despite the bill's strategic importance for Congress in UP polls.
Rahul waded into acquisition-related unrest in the state to position himself as pro-farmer and promised early action on the legislation pending for over five years.
The repeated word to voters has raised hopes among farmers and land owners who are at the whims of state governments on land acquisition. The bill aims to cut government's discretion in acquiring land by narrowing the ambit of "public purpose".
According to sources, the standing committee on rural development headed by BJP MP Sumitra Mahajan will hold many discussions to clear the complicated legislation. A minister said government was nudging the committee members for early clearance but it appeared difficult. Compounding the issue is the indifference of key Congress ministers who feel the bill would sound the death knell for industrialization.
A failure to deliver on land bill ahead of polls could provide a handle to opposition to slam Congress. For BSP, which has been at the receiving end of farmers' protest as well as of Congress campaign, it may prove a godsend to get back at the rival. On the other hand, SP would relish the opportunity to slam both BSP and Congress. It would be difficult for the government to push through the bill in the budget session close to polls.
The possibility has drawn Congress leaders to the strategy behind Rahul accusing invisible rival hand at blocking the bill. With the lead campaigner having championed its cause, even persuading reluctant allies like Trinamool to come around, a success on this front could win Congress crucial support base at the cost of rivals. It makes the charge of "opposition sabotage" plausible.
The Congress heir-apparent, on his tour of Balrampur and Siddharthnagar, promised action on the land bill fashioned to secure better compensation for farmers whose land is acquired. He had earlier told the Phulpur rally which launched the party campaign that Centre would bring the legislation in the winter session while accusing "some political parties" of working behind the curtains to block it.
The promise has triggered urgency and helplessness among government managers who feel it is unlikely in the ongoing session despite the bill's strategic importance for Congress in UP polls.
Rahul waded into acquisition-related unrest in the state to position himself as pro-farmer and promised early action on the legislation pending for over five years.
The repeated word to voters has raised hopes among farmers and land owners who are at the whims of state governments on land acquisition. The bill aims to cut government's discretion in acquiring land by narrowing the ambit of "public purpose".
According to sources, the standing committee on rural development headed by BJP MP Sumitra Mahajan will hold many discussions to clear the complicated legislation. A minister said government was nudging the committee members for early clearance but it appeared difficult. Compounding the issue is the indifference of key Congress ministers who feel the bill would sound the death knell for industrialization.
A failure to deliver on land bill ahead of polls could provide a handle to opposition to slam Congress. For BSP, which has been at the receiving end of farmers' protest as well as of Congress campaign, it may prove a godsend to get back at the rival. On the other hand, SP would relish the opportunity to slam both BSP and Congress. It would be difficult for the government to push through the bill in the budget session close to polls.
The possibility has drawn Congress leaders to the strategy behind Rahul accusing invisible rival hand at blocking the bill. With the lead campaigner having championed its cause, even persuading reluctant allies like Trinamool to come around, a success on this front could win Congress crucial support base at the cost of rivals. It makes the charge of "opposition sabotage" plausible.
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