UPA protects farmers' interests: Sonia

KOLKATA: Congress president Sonia Gandhi Monday said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-led government was trying to safeguard the interests of farmers in India. 

"We can't see our farmers in distress and poverty. If the lives of the rural Indian cannot be uplifted, our country will not be able to advance in the days to come," Gandhi said while addressing a farmers' rally in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. 

She said India was still dependent on agriculture.

"Our schemes are not meant for any particular section. It's for the benefit of all people across the country. I would request people in West Bengal to support Congress in the state," she said.

Gandhi arrived at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport here Monday morning and went to Baharampore in Murshidabad district, about 300 km from Kolkata, to address a farmers' rally.

She had a meeting with senior state Congress leaders at the airport.

The UPA chairperson also visited Malda district to pay homage to late Congress leader and former union minister A.B.A. Ghani Khan Choudhury.