Rahul Gandhi to address rally in Bhatta Parsaul

As part of its preparations for the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress Tuesday said party leader Rahul Gandhi will address a rally of farmers in Bhatta Parsaul later this month.

The party has also decided to give assembly tickets to youth in large numbers.

Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh told reporters that farmers, whose land had been acquired in different parts of the state, will be invited for the rally in Bhatta Parsaul.

The village near Greater Noida last month emerged as the epicentre of the agitation by farmers for higher compensation for their land acquired by the Mayawati government.

Gandhi had visited Bhatta Parsaul in May in support of farmers. He was arrested and later released by the Mayawati government.

Singh said if permission is not given to hold a rally in Bhatta Parsaul, it will be held near the village.

"Youth will be given tickets to the maximum extent possible," Singh said on the party's preparations for the next assembly elections. 

He said the Congress will field new candidates on seats it had been losing in the last few elections. 

Due representation will also be given to Other Backward Classes (OBC) and  minorities while finalising the candidates list, he added.