Bhatta Parsaul agitation: Mayawati to hold panchayat with farmers tomorrow

In an apparent bid to woo farmers in the backdrop of their agitations in Bhatta Parsaul and Katesar, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati will hold a 'kisan panchayat' tomorrow for a dialogue with them.

"The chief minister will hold a panchayat tomorrow to discuss the problems of the farmers by meeting them," a senior official said.

Mayawati is under attack from opposition parties for allegedly ignoring the interest of farmers after the Bhatta-Parsaul incident (Greater NOIDA).

After Rahul Gandhi's visit to Greater NOIDA village, Congress leaders and it's president Sonia Gandhi had launched a direct attack on the BSP government terming it of adopting 'anti-farmers' attitude.

Besides, discussion on land acquisition issue, the issues related to power supply, availability of seeds and fertilisers and procurement of wheat are likely to be taken up, he said.

After the panchayat, Mayawati is likely to make some announcements redressing grievances of the farmers, sources said.

Farmers in Bhatta Parsaul were agitating for more compensation of their land from the Uttar Pradesh government.

Four persons, including two policemen, were killed in the violence while others sustained injuries.

Farmers of Katesar village in Mugalsarai sat on a dharna on May 24 against land acquisition by Varanasi Development Authority (VDA). More than 1500 farmers are allegedly affected by the acquisition.