India
A farmers’ rights champion, Chhotu Ram had fought during British regime and helped farmers in getting their land back from money lenders
Haryana: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally at village Garhi-Sampla in Rohtak district — considered a stronghold of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
During his visit, the Prime Minister unveiled a 64-ft tall statue of farmer leader Sir Chhotu Ram.
PM Modi said that Chhotu Ram understood the hardships of farmers and fought for them.
The rally was an attempt to woo the farmers as Sir Chhotu Ram enjoys great respect among them. A farmers’ rights champion, Chhotu Ram had fought during British regime and helped farmers in getting their land back from money lenders.
The Prime Minister also said that he was fortunate to have served people of Haryana for years.
The rally was also BJP’s outreach to Jats, who have a considerable presence in the area. Rohtak was also epicentre of Jat quota agitation in 2016.
Chhotu Ram’s grandson, Chaudhary Birender Singh, who is the Union Steel Minister had personally invited the Prime Minister for unveiling the statue. The statue was ready nine months back, but could not be unveiled due to PM’s busy schedule, said a close aide of the Union Minister.
Hooda has been contesting Assembly elections from Garhi-Sampla-Kiloi, while his son, Deepender Singh Hooda, is lone Congress MP (Rohtak) in the state.
Of the total Lok Sabha seats in Haryana, seven were won by BJP and remaining two by Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and one by Congress.
The Prime Minister said that the previous governments had left farmers in the lurch. He said that the BJP-led government has increased MSPs on Kharif crops and are committed to farmer welfare.
He also congratulated athletes from Haryana who made the nation proud in various sporting events this year.
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