Congress to hold 'Chai ki charcha' to highlight 'failures' of Modi govt

Congress will organise a protest meet themed around tea in Yavatmal district in Maharashtra on 16 June to highlight the Narendra Modi government's "failures" in fulfilling promises made ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, especially those related to farmers.

The 'Chai ki charcha' (the discussion of tea) rally will be held in Arni village in adjoining Yavatmal district, which is infamous for farmer suicides.

The rally, being organised by the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPC) and its youth wing, will highlight "failures" of the Modi government, which completed two years in office last month, in fulfilling its promises made ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, especially those related to farmers, party leaders said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as BJP's PM face, had held an event, 'chai pe charcha' (discussion over tea), at Dabhadi village in Yavatmal district on 20 March, 2014, where he spoke about issues he would address if BJP came to power at the Centre.

Modi, during the event, had assured that if BJP came to power, farmers will get a better deal. He had promised increase in minimum support price for food crops and 50 per cent profit on cost of production, among other things, former Maharashtra Minister Shivajirao Moghe said.

However, none of these promises have been fulfilled, he alleged.

Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh, former Chief Minister and MPCC President Ashok Chavan and Rajya Sabha MP Raj Babbar, among other leaders will address the protest rally, he said.

-PTI