‘Pagri Bacchao Rally’ at the historical ‘Chabutra’ (platform) of ‘Banain Khap’

Youth Congress made deep inroads into the traditional farmer backed citadel of Haryana Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala by holding a mammoth ‘Pagri Bacchao Rally’ at the historical ‘Chabutra’ (platform) of ‘Banain Khap’ on 6th January, 2004. This was the first time ever that congress flags flied atop this classical Lok Dal bastion.

Thousands of leaders and supporters of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) – a Lok Dal affiliated farmer’s organization – turned up in large numbers to vow to ‘oust Chautala to save farmer’s honour’. What made the occasion momentous was the support extended by bestowing the turban by Presidents of the seven most powerful ‘community Panchayats’ (‘Khaps’) Banain Khap, Poonia Khap, Malik Khap, Mor Khap, Bavan Chaurasi Khap and Dalal Khap.

We pointed put the role of Congress, particularly Indiraji and Rajivji, in revolutionizing agriculture sector to ameliorate the conditions of farming community. We particularly pointed out the cajoles taken up by Smt. Sonia Gandhi in raising farmer’s issues, numerous visits to distressed farmers and making farmer’s crisis a center point of the discussion in Parliament.

Rally was addressed by Sh. Balram Jakhar, President, All India Kisan and Khet Mazdoor Congress; Ch. S.S. Surjewala, President, Haryana Krishak Samaj; Sh. Tejinder Pal Mann, President of PCC, Master Jogi Ram and Sh. Inder Singh, both Ex-M.L.A.’s and number of leaders.

Media virtually projected the rally as a crumbling of Chautala’s farmer oriented edifice and hailed it as a virtual extension of support by Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) to Congress.

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