BJP holds pro-farmer rally in Sambalpur

The Bharatiya Janata Party held a massive pro-farmer rally called The "Kranti Samavesh" in Sambalpur. The rally was organized to mark the second birth centenary of Vir Surendra Sai on January 23 and also to celebrate the completion of 150 years of the First War of Independence. Coincidentally, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's birth centenary falls on the same day.

BJP President Rajnath Singh addressed a huge gathering and declared that if BJP returns to power at the Centre, the minimum support price for rice will be not less than Rs 1,100 per quintal. The BJP also promised to keep the interest on farm loans at four per cent. Mr Rajnath Singh also said that if voted to power, the NDA will not only reduce interest rates on farm loans, but also provide a one year moratorium on repayment of loans.

Rajnath also played the "Rama Card" when he asserted that BJP would not allow the Ram Sethu to be destroyed or even damaged by the Sethusamudram project.

BJP's latest rally in Sambalpur could be regarded as a game plan to counter the Congress offensive in Western Orissa. BJP has emerged as a big force in Western Orissa in the past few years and the party does not want the Congress to seize the initiative. Significantly, BJP State President Suresh Pujari belongs to Sambalpur. He left no stones unturned to make the rally massive and impressive.

Besides Rajnath Singh, Chhatisgarh CM Mr Raman Singh, the all India general secretary Mr Vinay Katiyar, and many state ministers and MPs addressed the meeting.