After the Karnataka elections, Madhya Pradesh is to go into elections later this year. Keeping this in mind, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has decided to step into the BJP-ruling state.
President Rahul Gandhi has been asked to follow a set of 19 conditions for his mammoth rally next month in the state.
To be held on June 6 in Mandsaur, the rally will mark the death of five protesting farmers in police firing a year ago.
The conditions, set by the sub-divisional officer (SDM) of Malhargarh, include warnings against use of any provocative speeches or words that would hurt religious sentiments.
Gandhi has been told that the maximum size of the tent can be 4.5 meters by 4.5 meters. He has also been banned from using any “large DJ sound system.”
“The loudspeakers can be only up to 10 decibels. Parking, electricity, water and fire engines should also be organised by the Congress,” the letter by the SDM states.
Those involved in Gandhi’s security are also required to submit their mobile phone numbers at the local police station prior to the rally.
“The permission for Rahul Gandhi’s rally has been given after taking into consideration the recommendations of the sub-divisional officer of police of Malahargarh. The conditional permission has been granted keeping in mind the guidelines of the Supreme Court for such situations,” Mandsaur Collector OP Shrivastava told media.
The SDM also cautions the organisers of the rally to ensure that there is no effect on traffic movement in the area due to the event.
“The organisers of Rahul Gandhi’s rally will be completely responsible in case of theft of any vehicle from the rally venue. They should ensure that there is no inappropriate behaviour by any miscreant during the event. The permission for the rally will be cancelled with immediate effect if the norms mentioned are not adhered to,” he further states in his letter.
Reacting to the letter, Congress leader P Chidambaram questioned the mindset of the officer who signed the permission letter.
“This shows the poor mindset of Bhartiya Janata Party and that of the officer who signed this letter for the June 6 rally,” Chidambaram told media.
State Congress leader Jeetu Patwari said “This is not democracy but a circus. Bhartiya Janata Party rules Madhya Pradesh. The party has lost its mind and this shows their frustration. This also shows that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is scared and is on his way out.”
Congress’ media coordinator in the state Narendra Saluja described the conditions as a deliberate attempt to ensure that Rahul Gandhi’s rally doesn’t take place, as the state government is “frightened to see farmers’ massive support to the party.”
The Congress has been out of power in the state since 2003. This time, the Congress is trying to make the agrarian crisis and the plight of farmers a poll issue, one reason why it is keen on launching the campaign from Mandsaur.
State BJP spokesperson Vijesh Lunawat said: “It is clear that Congress is playing politics on such a sensitive issue like farmer deaths. The fact remains that the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has taken a number of measures for the welfare of farmers which Congress never did in its more than 50 years of rule in the country.”
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